Well...
I've got no complaints with my two Red Tops.
Mainly, I think you're paying for "power density" - the ratio of the power that the battery can produce to its actual weight. The Optima batteries seem to have just outlandish power density for lead-acid cells.
Also, my maintenance has dropped considerably (Optimas don't seem to outgas like conventional batteries - I check the terminals, but rarely clean them) and the fact of the battery being a good third lighter makes it easier for me to pull it out when I need to get under the thing.
For a deep cycle, I'd go with Optima - not only for the advantages I've noted here (which may not be advantages for you, but are for me,) but because I can mount the thing pretty much anywhere (even upside down...) and, since DC batteries are not typically well-maintained, the fact of not having to clean the terminals or top off the electrolyte would be a huge help. When I finally expand my electrical system to add a couple deep cycle batteries (in my 88,) I plan on getting two Optima deep cycle batteries, and isolating them with a 100% Duty Cycle solenoid.
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