All tungsten weights are not created equal

Tungsten weights have become the choice for serious bass fishermen in recent years.  The popularity has exploded and several different brand names now sell tungsten fishing weights.  One thing to be aware of is that not all tungsten weights are created equal.  Here are my Top 5 reasons why:

1. Quality.  Some companies use tungsten that is filled with fillers of other elements, making them less pure.  Check the tungsten percentage in each brand.  The less tungsten, the bigger the size. Eco Pro Tungsten for example is 97% pure tungsten.  Each additional % you can have the better.
2. Hole size - This is a big issue between several different brands.  The hole size is often inconsistent in brands and that is a result of poor manufacturing.  Eco Pro Tungsten weights have a consistently small hole size.  See video below for a real demo on the importance of hole sizes.
3. Insert vs. Insert Free.  I think this is a big one.  The weights with inserts tend to fray and even cut the line, while all of Eco Pro Tungsten weights are insert free and fray free.
4. Color.  While some might not think color makes a difference, but I believe that matching the color of your weight to your soft plastic can make a huge difference, especially when fishing bottom moving baits like a Texas-rig. Eco Pro Tungsten has the largest selection of colors for tungsten weights, including the Dean Rojas Signature Series.
5. Durability.  If you are going to pay for a certain color, you want that color to last.  Eco Pro tungsten has a special seal coat painting that resists chips and scratches.  I can't tell you how many old weights I have from other brands that are half painted and half silver.

In the picture you can see, both weights look identical in size and shape.  Both are one ounce flipping models. The hole size even looks the same, but the video below shows that hole size makes a difference.