I also find a HUGE difference in hand quilting needles. Unfortunately I don't know the brand I am using right now. I got them at Keepsake Quilting last summer. They are #12 and they came in a tiny little glass tube with a tiny little (real) seashell glued to the lid of the tube. I know that doesn't help any but somebody may know what brand is marketed that way. I love them but the eye is teeny tiny. I need my glasses and a magnifier to thread them. I use 100% cotton quilting thread and I always run my thread through beeswax.
I did find this interesting link on a needle review:
http://planetpatchwork.com/needles.htm