Deep Cycle Batteries

[dwiebenga]

Need some reviews on Deep cycle batteries for our Garmin Force.  Lithium is not in our budget.  Looking at Pro Guide, Bass Pro, and Duracell.  
What are your thoughts?

[fishinwrench]

My advice is to go with the one who has the most dealers in your area.   That ensures that the battery you get might be fresher, and if you ever have a problem you'll have less hassles getting the problem tended to. 

Many batteries on the dealer shelves right now are actually already a year old..... regardless of what the sticker on them indicates.  

[Alex Heitman]

I’ll 2nd wrench. We had interstates on our 2011 nitro and they were flawless for over 6 yrs. We purchased our new nitro in 2020 and had our cranking battery go. No interstate battery dealers had a cranking battery in over 100 mile radius. Find a dealer with ones you like that are close incase you have a problem.. 

[edwin]

I've put Pro Guide's for my last two refreshes.   Last batch was bought in Aug 22. Had one of the trolling batts take a dump in April 23...Ulrich checked it, traded it on the spot.  The replacement batt from April 23 took a dump in Nov 23...Ulrich checked it, traded it on the spot.   

 My only issue is that if it needed to be swapped on a Sunday, not sure who could assist.  My lake trips are pretty limited so having something ready to go is worth a premium.     Wallyworlds are everywhere and are open 7 days a week.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, edwin said:

    Wallyworlds are everywhere and are open 7 days a week

True that !  

There was a time, 10 years or so ago, that I wouldn't have dared recommend an Everstart, because I had witnessed so much early failure.   But I can't say that anymore.  From what I see, the Everstart cells are as good as anything else on the market now.  

When I sold batteries I was an Exide dealer, and I still buy them for myself because I trust them and still get dealer pricing, but I also swap them out every other year so I never have battery issues.   

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

my take which doesnt mean crap, i bit the bullet and went with Chins Lithium from amazon, im a little over 18 months in and they are great. And if they really last 10 years would trump my acid batteries. if they last 6-7 its still cheaper in the long run. But i do run a Acid proguide for my starting battery due to my boat being older.

I mean if  you srcaped up enough $ for a Garmin Force, u can afford you some amazon Lithium's.  I have buddies that have got  them too, nothing but good news from them

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Also want to add this.  I never had an issue bass fishing being on and off the troller all day with lead acids, But i like to pull cranks on Bull Shoals for Walleye. Lead acid about 4 hours on a fresh set.    My Lithiums ive done a 6 hour day no problem. If they dont bite in 6 hours it time to go home.....And i am just running a 24v  with my Force

[snagged in outlet 3]

I change my every other year like @fishinwrench recommended.   Duracell from battery plus were on sale and shot craps before two years.  Everstart at Walmart was fine and good price.   Last set is pro guide caught on sale.  Doing great.  

[Champ188]

I did a fair amount of research before I replaced my three TM batteries last year. Duracell takes a beating in customer reviews ... I'd stay away from those. I went back with Pro Guides, just like I've always done. Always get several years from them. 

[Dutch]

I’m running Pro Guides.  I started using them in 02 because that is all that we carried.  I’ve had better success with them than several others.