Optima Red Top or Sears DuraLast Platinum?

[Martinjmpr]

Any reason to prefer the Optima? Both are AGM batteries, CCA are close (740/925 for the Sears and 800/1000 for the Red Top.)
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Wife has a red top in her YJ and it's been darn near indestructible. Even survived a failed alternator. Completely discharged, I then followed a recommended procedure for recharging it (using an intermediate battery and a set of jumper cables) and it is still cranking along, even though we often go for months without starting the jeep and store it outside (We do have a battery tender on it.)
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The battery in my Suburban just died and I'd rather "buy the best and cry once", but the Sears is $40 less than the Red Top ($215 for the Red Top and $175 for the Sears.)
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So that takes me back to my opening question: Is there a reason to prefer to Optima? More rugged case or anything? One nice thing about the Sears, on my 'Burb with its nearly inaccessible side terminals, the Sears (at least from the pictures on Autozone.com) appears to also have a set of top terminals that I could use for jump starting if necessary.
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Of course, for $10 I can get a set of side terminal adapters so that's not a huge consideration but it's a nice convenience.
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So can anyone here speak to the reliability of the Red Top vs the Sears?

 

[PhulesAU]

I wouldn't even consider the red top. The QC from optima has gone into the toilet.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

One nice thing about the Sears, on my 'Burb with its nearly inaccessible side terminals, the Sears (at least from the pictures on Autozone.com) appears to also have a set of top terminals that I could use for jump starting if necessary.
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Of course, for $10 I can get a set of side terminal adapters so that's not a huge consideration but it's a nice convenience.

If the Burb uses a Grp 34 battery, you can solve the terminal problem with a 34/78 that has both top and side terminals. Current Optima quality seems to be OK. I just bought two Grp 34 Blue Dual Purpose, and my old truck is running a pair of Grp 34 Yellows. Been using Optimas since early 1999, went through the period of crappy quality, and they seem to be back up to snuff. In a Grp 34, I'd prefer an Odyssey or Northstar, but they will cost more.

 

[NikonRon]

I went through 2 Sears Platinum PM-1 in 2 years, they replaced the first one, didn't give them the opportunity on the second. Bought a Northstar.

 

[XJLI]

I'm really happy with my Bosch AGM. Ran my Disco for a couple days driving back and forth without an alternator last week.

 

[LR Max]

Deka. I have done everything I can to destroy it and it keeps trucking. Reasonably priced as well, made in the USA.

If you want to watch your vehicle catch fire and burn to the ground, then buy an Optima.

 

[SWITAWI]

No More DieHard Platinums...

Optima Red Top or Sears DuraLast Platinum?

Deka. I have done everything I can to destroy it and it keeps trucking. Reasonably priced as well, made in the USA.

If you want to watch your vehicle catch fire and burn to the ground, then buy an Optima.

Just two weeks ago I tried to get a Platinum battery, and was definitely told by a Sears rep over the phone (800-819-6963) that they will no longer offer the Platinum line once stocks are depleted. They are still shown on Sears' website, but cannot be ordered via the website, which is what prompted me to call.

I waffled over an Optima Redtop (Group 35) or YellowTop (Group 27), but wasn't swayed enough after reading recent reviews and looking at pricing.

So I went with the Sears 'Advanced Gold' G34R, also an AGM battery. Found out afterward that it is a Deka Intimidator 9A34R (775CCA, 120 Reserve) underneath the Sears labeling. Specs are lacking on the Sears website, but I'm guessing most of the grey-colored Advanced Gold batteries are just re-badged Deka Intimidators and those specs are here - http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/1737.pdf

Right now there does not appear to be a Diehard Advanced Gold Group 31 being offered - http://www.sears.com/search=diehard...150327xVigLink&aff=Y&PID=3952491&AID=11042411

Since then I've found the Deka version even cheaper (http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/deka-intimidator-agm-battery-775cca-955ca-group-size-34r-9a34r.html) but with Sears I could just walk in and walk out with the battery.

:beer:

 

[Martinjmpr]

We have an Auto Zone nearby and I'm shopping their on-line site, it shows the Sears Platinum still available. I definitely want a 34/78 so I have the top terminals as well as the side terminals, those side terminals are just a PITA.
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If the Sears will work that's probably what I'll go with. One of these days I may get around to doing a double battery set up but for now I just need to be able to drive the darn thing!

 

[SWITAWI]

We have an Auto Zone nearby and I'm shopping their on-line site, it shows the Sears Platinum still available. I definitely want a 34/78 so I have the top terminals as well as the side terminals, those side terminals are just a PITA.
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If the Sears will work that's probably what I'll go with. One of these days I may get around to doing a double battery set up but for now I just need to be able to drive the darn thing!

i wish you luck in getting what you want, but I was unable to actually order from the website even though the Platinum Group 35 I wanted (4yr warranty!) is still showing there, so I chose the 'order by phone' option and that's when they told me.

Fingers crossed for you... :beer:

EDIT: As an alternative there does appear to be a Deka/Sears 78 AGM Battery.

Deka 9A78DT - http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/deka...-and-side-post-10-3-4-x-6-7-8-x-8-9a78dt.html

Sears DieHard Advanced Gold 50778 - http://www.sears.com/diehard-advanc...p-02850778000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

 

[Martinjmpr]

There are several other batteries at O'reilly that look exactly like that except for the sticker which makes me wonder if that's what they are.

 

[SWITAWI]

There are several other batteries at O'reilly that look exactly like that except for the sticker which makes me wonder if that's what they are.

If the O'Reilly batteries have the same specs/dimensions as the Deka batteries I'd say they probably are the same units.

 

[1stDeuce]

The "Super Start" brand that O'Reilly sells are indeed Deka batteries. I have a Group 31 AGM in my truck camper, and two of the flooded Group 31's in my 5th wheel that we live in full time. All mfg'd in the good old USA by Deka, and labeled as "Super Start". LOTS cheaper through O'R than anywhere else I've found them. The batts in the 5-er were stolen a few weeks ago actually, and I just put two new ones in today. Can't beat the price, and I've yet to hear anything bad about Deka batteries.

So whether you get a Super Start from Oreilly, or a Duracell from Sam's or Autozone,they're all the same battery with a different sticker.

The reason I'd stay away from an Optima vs. other options is that the Optimas do not have as much reserve capacity as a traditional square battery. This thanks to terrible use of the space available with the round coils instead of flat plates.

Charging may also be a concern if you're thinking about running an AGM in your truck... My TJ generally regulates to 13.7-13.9v, which is good for an AGM battery. My '06 GMC regulates to 14.4-14.7, which is pretty high for an AGM, and may cook it to an early death. (Cooking the pass side battery is a common issue with GM trucks of this vintage, particularly in warm climates...) Some vehicle are just better off with traditional batteries, and you Suburban may well be one of those vehicles.

 

[Jr_Explorer]

The Sears Platinum batteries USED to be rebadged Odyssey batteries (http://www.odysseybattery.com/). IMHO the Odyssey batteries are THE best AGM batteries around. I was seriously bummed out that Sears switched. But I found an Odyssey battery distributor nearby and the cost was on the same order as other (to me lesser known) AGM's. I run these in my Tundra and my '07 Duramax Silverado. One is going in the gf's diesel Jeep Liberty the minute the Optima battery in it hiccups.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Well I went ahead with the SuperStart A/K/A Deka. Running fine now. I also finally cleared some of the junk out of the garage so the 'Burb fits in there (though with not much room to spare!)
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Thanks for all the recommendations. FWIW the red top in Wife's YJ was in the vehicle when we bought it in 2012 and despite the fact that the Jeep goes for months without being started, it's always worked. The alternator died last year and left us stranded but as soon as we got it home I put the red top on the charger (through another battery) and charged it overnight and it works great, so I'm impressed with that. I did finally put a trickle charger on it, though, as I would recommend for any vehicle that's not going to be driven for a long period of time (both of my motorcycles are on battery tenders as well.)

 

[1stDeuce]

I'll agree that most optimas aren't bad batteries, they're just not always ideal... My TJ has a red top that was new back in 2009. It's been run down several times by leaving the lights on all day, and powered my winch to do all sorts of winching jobs without a break. Last time I tested it, it was still putting out well, and voltage didn't quickly fall off like old batteries often do. I'll keep using it until it has issues.