Not that I have used a ton of different rods, but I picked up a Vendetta last summer and I love it. I was happy to find a good rod for under $100, and this winter I am buying up a couple more on the cheap. I see no reason to spend any more on other rods: the action is nice, the sensitivity is there, and it has great backbone. For a guy that pretty much had to get one rod and use it for multiple purposes, it did well. I caught a TON of bass on it using the tried and true Texas Rig, I dragged a ton of really nice bass out of the slop frogging with it, and I also did well with swim jigs with it. Hell, I even managed to do ok with it using it as a flipping rod (not great mind you, but ok).
The weight also seemed ok to me. I fished quite a few all-day trips multiple days in a row and never really felt tired.
I am sure there are better rods, but I won't bother with them because frankly, I like the Vendetta and it's cost. To move up and buy a nicer more expensive rod would ruin that for me...