Anybody run the Academy brand batteries Exide??? What do you think about them?

My buddy who tried them said "junk".

So what do yall recommend?? Optima Blue Tops?? How do I know which one of the Blue Tops to pick if I will be using it for my cranking battery and to power electronics?

Got 3 years out of my last set. I usually get at least 2 years

Exides??

While Optima blue top batteries are good quality, their price doesn't necessarily mean they have more capacity than other batteries available for less money. Optima batteries are sealed, so no electrolyte level checks are required. (Not a big deal to me.) You're paying a lot for that feature, but it doesn't make the battery last longer.

To comprehend cranking ability of a battery, look at CCA/MMA rating where higher is better.
To understand low amp drain support ability, look at Reserve Capacity, where higher is better.

Those two specs will help to compare batteries than price or sheer size. Though, all other things equal, larger batteries do tend to have more capacity. My first recommendation is to go with as big of a battery as you can fit, regardless of the size you have now. Many boats are delivered with a small Group 24 battery. Many of us up-size that to as much as a Group 29 or 31. (31 is generally the same footprint as a 29 but a bit taller).

Junk....sides flex in rough conditions. Flexing forces battery acid up and out of cap vents...all over your compartment.

I'm due for a new cranking battery. After only running my 3 HDS's for about 1 hour my voltage alarm comes on.

I've had a lot better luck with ever starts from walmart. Exides never even lasted 2 years for me. I get 3 to 4 out of the ever starts.

All we sell along with the majority of dealers around here are exides. I use the 27series on everything. Next boat might have a 29 or 31 series.

don't buy exide...Bought some from Academy and after 6 months both went and the company would not stand behind their product. I am glad academy took them back. I called exide and the lady told me not to buy and certain year that they were produced in. She told me that year was a bad year. Never will buy them again.

Interstate batteries FTW!

I have Academy Exides on my trolling motor. Came with the boat when I bought it used. Keep em charged and they work great. No telling how old they are. Hahaha. Maybe I should look at changing them. But they work.

Now my little starting battery I bought at BPS in Branson last fall sucks. Badly. I needed one in a pinch. The guy there even said "you'll be sorry". Haha. I am gonna move it to my riding mower.

I have no experience with Exide, but I'm on my 4th year with Interstates 27 size.

I know some will tell you that this is a bad idea, but I replaced my cranking battery with a deep cycle about a year ago and it's been great. I can run the lights all morning, the livewell pump and electronics all day, and it still starts right up at the end of the day and my voltage alarm never sounds.