optima batteries

[TBendBassin]

my current batteries are about shot and im considering optima blue tops size 31 they are going my 21ft ranger comanche.. does anyone run these batteries if so i would like to get some feedback on them

[South FLA]

I would consider some other brands above Optima.

Here are some "better" choices you may want to consider in Group 31

1. Sears DieHard Platinum (Made by Odyssey)

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P

2. West Marine's Sea-Volt or Deka Seamate (Made by East Penn )

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100629&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10109&subdeptNum=10548&classNum=10549

3. Trojan

http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products/31-AGM12V.aspx

I like Lifeline too, but they are hard to get and you have to send them back to factory if you have issues, and $$$$$.

http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marineflyer.php?id=12

In my opinion the battery list above is better than Optima. I would base my decision on availability/proximity to your area, WARRANTY, and recommended outboard motor CCA!

If I had to re-battery my Ranger it would be the Sears Platinum hands down, with the 3 year warranty, CCA, reserve amp advantage over the Optima it seems like a better choice. Difference is price may be more or less depending on coupons or sales they maybe running. They do weigh a bit more though. 

Good luck and tell us what you went with

[JohnnyBigger]

Yes they should fit, I personally love my Optima batteries plus a 36 month free replacement....you cant beat that with a stick. but unfortinately they run about 200 i think if you can affored it they are worth it.

[jbh3]

I would consider some other brands above Optima.

Here are some "better" choices you may want to consider in Group 31

1. Sears DieHard Platinum (Made by Odyssey)

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P

2. West Marine's Sea-Volt or Deka Seamate (Made by East Penn )

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100629&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10109&subdeptNum=10548&classNum=10549

3. Trojan

http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products/31-AGM12V.aspx

I like Lifeline too, but they are hard to get and you have to send them back to factory if you have issues, and $$$$$.

http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marineflyer.php?id=12

In my opinion the battery list above is better than Optima. I would base my decision on availability/proximity to your area, WARRANTY, and recommended outboard motor CCA!

If I had to re-battery my Ranger it would be the Sears Platinum hands down, with the 3 year warranty, CCA, reserve amp advantage over the Optima it seems like a better choice. Difference is price may be more or less depending on coupons or sales they maybe running. They do weigh a bit more though.

Good luck and tell us what you went with

Agree with the above. Check and compare the CCA/MCA/Reserve numbers.

[Wayne P.]

I agree also, If you like fishing more than battery charging, Optimas won't be your choice.

[fishfordollars]

I bought two a while back and returned them. Took forever to charge. Not good when fishing a 2-3 day tournament. I ended up with the Sears batteries mentioned above and have had no issues with them.

[Way2slow]

If I was going with AGM's, my first pick would be Deka.  They are about the best built AGM's on the market.  I would also go with a stacked cell any day of the week over a spiral wound.

Deka also makes Bass Pro Shop's.

As I've said many times before, unless you just want to give up run time for the maintenance free aspect of AGM's, a top quality flooded cell batteries will give you as much a 20% more run time.  160 minutes on an Optima versus 225 on a Trojan and you have to pay a lot more the get less run time.  I think the Deka's are around 200 minutes.

AGM's are great for areas that are difficult to get to to check/service a battery but that's only real advantage.  The cycle count on the AGM's is not that much better than a quality flooded cell.

[JohnnyBigger]

I work for NAPA and Deka is a very good battery compared to others, we dropped Exide for Deka and we have very few defects any more and very fair priced.

[S h o c k e r]

(1) Sears DieHard Platnum for Cranking

(3) Exide 29 Deep Cycle

2007 Ranger Z21 - Merc 250 Pro XS

Spoke with dealer that sold both Optima and Excide he said there is no way you can justify the extra money in performance.

[TBendBassin]

well nobody responded to the post really until now lol so i didnt know and got the optimas but i only paid 190 a piece for them instead of 260 the normal selling price so i guess my question now is did i get a good deal for the price