I bought a Red Top for my 8 several years ago. It lasted about 1 year. Optima replaced it under warranty, and that one also lasted about 1 year and left me stranded. I bought a Napa Legend from a nearby store (about a mile from where I was stuck--that was a fun walk), and it is still fine after 4 years.

I don't drive my 8 very often, and it mostly sits in the garage on a Battery Tender. That thing is supposed to be compatible with AGM batteries. Maybe it had something to do with it or maybe it didn't. In any case, I'll be staying away from Optima batteries in the future.

 

There are other brands that make AGM batteries. I bought a Motomaster(CT's in-house brand) Eliminator Ultra AGM and it has been more than a year. I occasionally charge it with a tender.

I heard those things about Optima batteries and that's why I decided against buying one.

 

I'm done with Optoma batteries. Been through about 4-5 of um. I now take my amp meter to Walmart and test some batteries. I just picked up a 575 CCA battery for $62, tested over 700 CCA. Only has a one year warranty, but for they will give you a $12 exchange fee. So the next battery will be $50. Can't go wrong.

 

My previous battery was a Walmart battery. Lasted 5 years and two nearly complete discharges. Was still at probably 40-50% when I got fed up with slow cranks in the winter and replaced it was cheapest with >600 CCA rating on the shelves (was relocating battery to trunk so I made a custom bracket for it). I use that in the winter and the LiFePO4 in the spring/summer/fall.