Sounding Rod vs Plug

I bought a cheap silicone sounding rod kit off Amazon a few years back and used it once. Felt good but burned the next two days when urinating. For this reason and personal embarrassment, I threw them away.

Here we are today and it’s been back on my mind for weeks. After finding this group, I’m hoping for some guidance. Silicone or metal? What’s the sensation difference between a rod and a plug? I only remember a sensation in the first inch or two of my penis when I tried it before. Should I have felt it deep inside?

I love the visual so I’m wondering if a plug is the way to go but want to make sure I’m not missing out on a sensation by going this route. Any guidance, pointers, etc is appreciated. Thank you!