An Optima will still discharge if you leave a key on. The reserve time is better than conventional batteries, but not by more than a factor of 2 (less actually, I think).
So it might last 1.5 times as long when your forget the key on.. Then it will burn up if you jump it. Or you'll be stuck charging with a trickle charger for a day before you can use it again.
As far as a good battery - the best place to go used to be the local interstate dealer. Are they still around?
