as for your accuracy improvement you may just be concentrating more using the lighted nock. The difference in weight is only about 5 grs. As for putting them in with pliers, are you sure you got the right size nocks? Usually all that's needed is a firm push, sometimes against the side of the work bench or table top. Alignment if necessary is then made with a nock alignment tool. I tried several different brands of lighted nocks and I also settled on the Nocturnals. Turning them off isn't that difficult with another field tip or other sharp pointed item. You knife point may not be pointed enough to go into the hole.