Optima Batteries was started in Sweden in the first half of the 90's with a mission to make the ultimate lead-acid battery for automotive use.
They where bought by JCI Inc early in the 21th century.
Though it still could be the best battery out there reports are that the batches from the first couple of years lasted even longer and that some are still in use today.
People replacing the early ones didn't get the same life the second time around and that makes sense!
If you are in the battery-business you want to sell lots of batteries but you also want customers to come back and buy another,Optima seem to found the right formula
Looking at the specs the Yellow Tops are 5 pounds heavier in the same group 34 battery, if you don't mind the extra pounds I've been taught that the weight on a battery is a good indicator on comparing capacity and longevity, and then of course how you handle the battery will lead to the end result!