hey guys is there a difference between stainless steel guides with chrome inserts & stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts or are they basically the same?  thanks.

Chrome inserts are harder and more durable. Neither is highly regarded.

oh ok.i wasn't sure of the difference or if there was difference.  thanks!

Actually, QUALITY hard chrome ring guides are quite well regarded and popular with many rod builders. Like anything else "quality" is the key. Here are some good ones: http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/minima-4

 

The Minima4 are double swaged. Light and durable.

I like PB minimas, they are the only ones I would use though... There are others and they probably won't hold up very long...

There is only 1 guide I don't like, and happens to be on my favorite rod brand.  Every inshore rod has had more than 1 guide rust and the insert falls out, have one in for repair and picked up another last week.  The guides are replaced with some generic guide that don't fail.  As long as a guide doesn't rust any of them are fine for me, have yet to see any of them groove.