Great deal on a great Battery Tender at Canadian Tire!

[VifferFun]

Hey Guys,

Last year I bought a CTEK "intelligent" battery tender from Canadian Tire based on rave reviews here on the forum. As far as I can tell it's a great little unit, and has a really nice quick-connect cable system that you can leave on your bike.

In case anyone is interested, they're on sale for 40% off at Canadian Tire right now! Regular $90 but now on for $54. Might as well buy one early and be ready for when winter hits

Enjoy!

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

[mxs]

Thanks Viffer, I might pick one up.

[VifferFun]

Thanks Viffer, I might pick one up.

No problem. I don't think you will find a better deal on this great little unit. They didn't even cheap out on the quality of the rubber coatings . . . it feels expensive

[AC]

I was looking at this in the flyer this morning. Just might have to go pick one up now..

[SkinnyPedal]

Thanks for posting Viffer...I tried waiting for a sale, but unlike most stuff at CT these days, sales on these don't come along very often, so I paid full pop last fall.

[VifferFun]

Thanks for posting Viffer...I tried waiting for a sale, but unlike most stuff at CT these days, sales on these don't come along very often, so I paid full pop last fall.

I paid full cost last year too

[TorontoBoy]

Is this CTek charger better than a Battery Tender Jr? I think the Battery Tender Jrs go for around $40. They are both supposedly computer controlled.

[Ritchard]

The Ctek unit has a little more capability. If you just want to top up your bike batttery, the Battery Tender Junior works great. The Ctek unit has the capbility to optimize its charging pattern for the batteries of cars or bikes, and features a winter maintenance mode as well.

I've got one of each, but at the sale price, I may get another Ctek.

[Sport Ride]

Lets go as a group and ask for an even better discount for a bulk purchase!

[HunGJaI]

oh, I do need one now...

$54 not that bad of a deal as well....

[adri]

Both cables that come with the charger have built-in inline fuses - 15 A I believe.

+1. Can't remember what the fuse is off the top of my head but it's there.

[afelotreyu]

will be stopping at Canadian Tire yet 3rd time this week.. lol

[kat]

From those that have used this one, how does it compare to the Optimate 4

[robmack]

From those that have used this one, how does it compare to the Optimate 4

I haven't used an Optimate 4 so I can't give an opinion based on experience. I researched the Optimate line of chargers after reading a review of the Optimate 4 with the intent of buying one. The CTek deal was convenient and attractive so I got one of the CTek tenders instead.

From the spec sheet and brochure, I would say that both units are equivalent in function and price range. The Optimate may have an edge with additional programs for desulphifcation mode and for battery condition testing. The operator panel has more indicators for telling you what it is doing. The CTek panel is pretty simple and mundane but that may be an advantage for those who are technically challenged. The connectors on the CTek appear to be better but that is subjective. I like the positive disconnect on the Ctek as opposed to the trailer connector on the Optimate. As far as charging, both use similar technology, both are able to handle a wide range of battery types including non-sealed lead acid batteries as well as AGM, gel and sealed lead acid. Both have a maximum charge current of 0.8A and can maintain batteries betweeen 2Ah and 75Ah. I don't know any reliability figures for either unit but I guess they have long service lives and high duty cycles because the build quality is high. In short, either unit would be suitable for the purpose of optimumly maintaining the charge of your motorcycle battery. The Optimate 4 is ever so slightly better with its program mode and operator feedback using LEDs so if I were to choose between the two, I would choose the Optimate.

[HunGJaI]

I haven't used an Optimate 4 so I can't give an opinion based on experience. I researched the Optimate line of chargers after reading a review of the Optimate 4 with the intent of buying one. The CTek deal was convenient and attractive so I got one of the CTek tenders instead.

From the spec sheet and brochure, I would say that both units are equivalent in function and price range. The Optimate may have an edge with additional programs for desulphifcation mode and for battery condition testing. The operator panel has more indicators for telling you what it is doing. The CTek panel is pretty simple and mundane but that may be an advantage for those who are technically challenged. The connectors on the CTek appear to be better but that is subjective. I like the positive disconnect on the Ctek as opposed to the trailer connector on the Optimate. As far as charging, both use similar technology, both are able to handle a wide range of battery types including non-sealed lead acid batteries as well as AGM, gel and sealed lead acid. Both have a maximum charge current of 0.8A and can maintain batteries betweeen 2Ah and 75Ah. I don't know any reliability figures for either unit but I guess they have long service lives and high duty cycles because the build quality is high. In short, either unit would be suitable for the purpose of optimumly maintaining the charge of your motorcycle battery. The Optimate 4 is ever so slightly better with its program mode and operator feedback using LEDs so if I were to choose between the two, I would choose the Optimate.

Good Info

but why you buy the Ctek instead ???