Optima vs. Odyssey and what model?

[HongerVenture]

Okay, so my truck’s battery has finally given up the ghost… and she’s stranded in the garage (which is the best place for this to occur).

I’ve held off on dual-batteries until this point because I wanted to use identical batteries and I couldn’t bring myself to change over while the current battery was still in good shape… seemed wasteful.

First decision to make… Optima or Odyssey.

People seem to be switching over to Odyssey around here because of dissatisfaction with Optima. Can some of you folks share some stories of your Optima woes (or your satisfaction if that be the case)? Also, is there anyone here who has long-term experience with Odyssey? I’ve noticed lots of folks switching, but haven’t seen any “I’ve had my Odyssey for 7-years, through 500 full-discharges, and it still powers my Engel 45 for a month!” type of stories. Okay, so I exaggerate, but I’m looking for success stories.

I’m leaning Odyssey, so that brings up my second choice…
PC1200 series… or PC1500 series? I’ve noticed several people here using the 1200 as their starter battery. Heck, FlyingWil is using an additional 1200 for his auxiliary as well. The only thing the PC1200 model lacks in comparison to the Red Top Optima is CCA. Any input from ya’ll in this department?

Any suggestions or food for thought is appreciate…

If I go Odyssey batteries I’m going to have to do the whole dual-battery system in stages… these batteries come with a hefty price tag.

[BigAl]

My Optima yellow top performs as advertised. Long winch pulls and my assorted electronic gadgets don't seem to bother it.

[DaveInDenver]

I have a Optima Red Top that is at least 6 years old now. It might be getting weak, but it's been used several times to drive the truck with the starter over the years and it's been fine. I'm planning on replacing it with another Red Top, although I think a Yellow Top might be a better fit for me. I dunno what people are doing to kill Optimas, but I use it as a light duty deep cycle running the radio all night or a small campsite light as it is my only battery and it's gone this long (it will be 7 years in October). Maybe winching doesn't make it happy?

[bigreen505]

Dave my recollection is that the combination of hard use in high heat environments is what does it. I think most of the complaints came from the Arizona/Baja contingent. My experience is that temperature extremes are tough on batteries. According to my mechanic, they get as many people coming in with dead batteries when the temps rise above 95 as they do when it drops below zero, both are significantly higher than average and increase exponentially day by day with sustained heat/cold periods.

[Bergger]

Not sure about the hot weather problems but I've got friends that swear by Optimas. I just replaced my battery a few months ago and decided to give this a try. It's a spiral cell like an Optima. Made by Exide. I found some good articals on it so I got one and have been happy so far. Just another option to think about.



http://www.exideworld.com/News/press...eel_parts.html

[p1michaud]

Can't offer any advice on the Odyssey, however I have installed and used an Optima Red Top in my 1999 Tacoma for 3 years with no issues. I've also recently installed a new Exide Orbital Xtreme Cycle Duty Battery (34XCD) as my aux. battery used to power a winch, off road lights, CB radio and full time power outlets. Can't comment on longevity since it's about 2 months old, but so far so good.

Cheers,
P

[dieselcruiserhead]

I ran the Exides last time and they were great, that is what I plan doing again probably.. I killed two optimas when not being used regularly... The Exides and especially the Optimas are very much mass produced, not sure what the overall quality control is. The Odysseys are also factory made (of course) but are generally considered much higher quality and are made in smaller numbers. Also hence the price difference. Does it really make a difference? Not sure...

[DaveInDenver]

I ran the Exides last time and they were great, that is what I plan doing again probably.. I killed two optimas when not being used regularly... The Exides and especially the Optimas are very much mass produced, not sure what the overall quality control is. The Odysseys are also factory made (of course) but are generally considered much higher quality and are made in smaller numbers. Also hence the price difference. Does it really make a difference? Not sure...

I've been to the Optima factory (it's where I got mine, mine is technically a factory second blemish). I dunno, seemed like any other manufacturer and I sort of doubt Odyssey is much different. Odyssey is smaller, although that also means that they are more likely to fluctuate in ability to handle surges in demand without quality issues. I'm also not completely sure that Odyssey doesn't farm out some production, too. I don't have any particular reason to know that, just been enough job interviews with contract manufacturing places and you see a lot of stuff being built in places you wouldn't expect. Shrug.

[robert j. yates]

My Optima yellow top puked out after 26 months so I replaced it with a Odyssey PC1200 which lasted me 3 good years until a 50yard uphill dry winch pull (no motor due to power steering box explosion) took it out. It lasted the rest of the day but would no longer hold a charge. I'm now running dual PC1200 Odyssey batteries in my Jeep and wouldn't have it any other way. IMO, Odyssey's are made better, have a better warranty and deliver their advertised power more consistently

[offroad_nomad]

I'm running an Optima Blue Top D34M for about a year and its worked well in the 4Runner. The D34M is both a starting and deep cycle battery. A nice feature are the extra pair of threaded posts with wing nuts to power accessories.