http://www.exide.com/products/trans/productdetail/truck_orbital_automotive_starting.html

I used to sell em when i worked at Checker. They seem to be a pretty nice battery and we never had one come back. they are a little more expensive than the optimas tho and i'm wondering if they are just a knock off or if there really is a difference.

Dallas

i have one, they're cheaper than the optimas actually and work just as well. I don't exactly know what to say about a battery other than it has started my truck every time i've turned the key, has kept going no matter how much i've winched, and didn't leak when i rolled. I got mine from a guy off this board for $75.

-Steve

i dunna know. where is the battery geek when we need him :D

I have one of those as well

I'm also liking the 3 sets of posts. hmm top for winching, side for starting, other top for lights stereo and other misc electrical crap.

Dallas

review HERE (http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/exide_orbital/)
________
LovelyWendie99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

Been running one since they came out. Buddy worked at NAPA and gave me a good deal and said if I like it then send people his way. :D :D

I have been running the Exide Orbital for 2 years. It's been working great. It's a sealed battery no leaks when I am on my side.

where can you buy them at ? how much ?

- jack

any checker shucks or kragen will have one or 2 kickin around, also any other exide dealer should have em. looks like i'll be pickin one up today.

Dallas

I think the exide and optima are of a very similar construction. Both are absorbed glass mat sprial cells, can't be too may other things that are differnt.

I try to get them out the door for ~$110

Better warranty than the optima, 2 year free replacment vs 1 :)

Originally posted by morpheus
where can you buy them at ? how much ?

- jack

Got mine at teh local Nappa for about $175

chris you got ripped off, the checker i worked at sold em for $130

Dallas

I watched one basicaly get cooked a couple of weekends ago @ Elbe, a bunch of under-equiped rigs and only a couple of rigs with winches, well, let's just say that battery gave it's all for the sake of recovering idiots(after that one went tits, we put in another dudes battery and boiled it:rolleyes: ) and yes, Schuck's warenteed it.

Originally posted by HighHooder
I watched one basicaly get cooked a couple of weekends ago @ Elbe, a bunch of under-equiped rigs and only a couple of rigs with winches, well, let's just say that battery gave it's all for the sake of recovering idiots(after that one went tits, we put in another dudes battery and boiled it:rolleyes: ) and yes, Schuck's warenteed it.

i take it then that the battery performed quite well under much abuse then correct? sounds good to me, nothing is invincible.

Dallas

They way I heard it is that Exide bought marketing rights to the spiral cell technology from Optima.
Either that or Optima's patent expired.

I have one too (in my :rainbow: little s-10). I have deep-cycled it a few times and it keeps coming back. I have had it for about 2 years. The last time I left my lights on, went out to my truck at lunch and it was DEAD. I came back after work and it cranked righ over! I'm going to replace it with another optoma and also put one in my Blazer (along w/ the regular bat.).

Originally posted by Scott Mac.
They way I heard it is that Exide bought marketing rights to the spiral cell technology from Optima.
Either that or Optima's patent expired.

Interstate has a similar battery... My guess is Optima sold marketing rights....

Originally posted by rkcrawl


Interstate has a similar battery... My guess is Optima sold marketing rights....

If you peel off the interstate label it says optima on the top of the battery

Interstate Licenced the design from Optima as did Champion and I would be very willing to bet that Exide did too.

The IP is actually owned by Gates energy systems. Optima was the first to license it for automotive applications.

Other Licensees are Genisis, and Concorde.

It may be wrong, but I had heard that the Orbit batterys do not use the Gates starved electrolyte chemestry, and do not recover from complete discharges.

I just called NAPA and they want $125 for an Exide Orbital and I can get a red top Optima for $105. :confused: So from what I gather it's the same as an Optima, only more expensive? Hmmm tough call, guess I'll get the red top :eek:

Seems like I've seen Optimas at Costco for under $100...not sure though.

there's definitely levels of redtop's these days. be sure which one you're getting ....

- jack

Exide happens to be my sponsor for UROC competitions. I basically pimp Orbital batteries for them. I would like to tell people to buy the Orbital over the Optima, but it simply comes down to price. Orbitals COULD be sold for less than an Optima in most cases, but some places mark them up too high in my opinion.
I'm planning on selling them myself, but thats still in the works.