Feedback on Optima remains positive. There have been enough in the field long enough for good 'burn in' at this point.
You can mount them in any position, even upside down if you like. The 'collector car' and marine folks I know rave about them, since they survive long term storage well. I have not yet tried one first hand, but my next marine battery will be an Optima.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.