Basically, there were 2 seat post sizes generally used - 22.2mm and 25.4mm, or 7/8" & 1" in old money. It's the actual size of the seat tube hole, and the post of course. Your Haro I'm guessing had a 25.4 post and ordinary looking seatguts and they were always 22.2mm, so the post narrowed at the top.
Most all new school frames take a 25.4 post these days.
The micro pivotal things are just for kids to slam their seats as low as possible. Some people don't like the position of the pivotal seats as most have no front/back adjustment, so check into that before you buy one if you're thinking of one.