I have never burned oil, until I switched to synthedic, and within 2k miles, I had burned a half quart. Next time, I am going to just run a good Dino oil.
As for whats the best synthedic,
Ams
Redline
Mobil 1 blue cap
As for using honda filters. Bah, hell no, the USDM honda filters are just rebadged fram. Also, I only run Synthedic designed filters for synthedic oils. The media is alot smaller to trap the smaller debris that synthedic oils catch. Without one, your basicly skipping out on 50% of why synthedic is better. When you run a Mobil 1 filter with dyno oil, the media is gets cloged alot faster and kills oil pressure.
Edit* Also, never use synthedic/dino blends. On the label, they do not say what the percentages is so they could be running 99% dino oil and 1% synthedic, but charge you $2-3 more then a good Dino oil.