A question I can answer. I studied batteries and the technology. I even wrote some papers on it. In short, the Optima is good if you are running juice draining accessories like a big amp, coffee maker, microwave, or washing machine in your car. They can deep cycle like a sonavabitch, and come back from the brink. Regular lead acid batteries never fully recharge. The gel batteries also last longer, are more stable, and if you roll your car, the battery can be taken out and put in your next car. They do not corrode things like a conventional auto battery. The big problem is when the battery overcharges. An overcharged gel cell is junk. Basically when the plates inside get overcharged they; (note: keep it easy and short) well it gets a dead spot. So you end up with less juice. A voltage reading is not the best way to test a battery. The ideal way is to submit it to tests while in the car, under various loads. Just cause you got some volts doesn't mean you got some amperes. A home multimeter won't handle the few hundred amps a battery is producing. You gotta throw down a couple of G's for something that can do that. Also an Optima weighs a crap ton. Unless you are racing, want to keep the battery tray in mint collector condition, or just like colored batteries, I wouldn't get an Optima. Regular old Diehard's and the like are great for everyday use. Take a used battery to an auto shop. Most of them have the equipment to test a battery properly.
