Plugging in a 1/4" jack into a guitar or amp is always pretty satisfying.
this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2023
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Most RJ-45 connectors (without a boot on them).. The connector only fits one way, the orientation is clear on both ends while holding, looking or even by feel if you have to do it blind and it locks into place easily. Only issue is how fragile the clocking part is, which boots are supposed to help protect but make more difficult to use.
I like reversible connectors like lighting and USB-C but I find them too small and fragile in general and they are not very satisfying to connect.
I have a special hate for connectors that are HARD to blind connect or even tell at a distance like USB-A, HDMI and Displayport which are ether rectangles or slightly not rectangles that are close enough that is hard to tell in the dark behind a device.
I have a strong dislike for connectors with thumb screws, but like locking connectors like Centronics or as noted RJ11 or RJ45.
Terminating RJ-45 takes about 2 minutes if you damage the connector, and takes novice techies about an hour to get it down quick. You canβt say that about USB-C.
I love USB-C in a lot of ways but I also have two different projects that are sitting and waiting for me to solder in the USB C connectors, because JESUS H CHRIST. Those things were not built to be attached by human hands.
This guy plugs!
Seriously though. Those damn boots on RJ-45 cables are the bane of my homelab. Sure they protect the needlessly fragile prong on the connector, but have you tried unplugging a single cable from a full switch? I have to leave a pair of pliers next to mine for that. To hell with that! I'll take SFP over RJ45 any day!
Special "Fuck You" to whoever invented micro-HDMI. Difficult to plug in, super easy to destroy. And for what? It's not that much smaller that full-size HDMI. I had to send in one (out of warranty) mirrorless camera for service because on that, and it was super expensive.
- Best insertion: Displayport Locking
- Runner-up: Ethernet (RJ45), Apple 30-Pin (Locking)
- Best removal: Magsafe 3
- Runner-ups: USB-C, USB-B 3.0
- Best differential pair connector: Lightning (because it's so consistent feeling)
- Runner-up: USB-C
- Best residential AC plug: British BS1363 (Type G)
- Best lightbulb base: Bayonet B15s
- Runner-ups: GU10, GU24, Fluorescent Bi-pin
- Best audio port: 6.35mm TRRS (1/4")
- Runner-ups: Banana Jacks, Neutrik SpeakON
- Best video port: HDMI
- Runner-ups: RCA Composite/Component, DVI, BNC, USB-C
- Best device-internal connector: JST GH series
- Runner-up: any miniature mezzanine connector
- Worst differential connectors: USB micro B 3.0, any ethernet cable with a bubble boot or broken latch, mini-HDMI, micro-HDMI
- Worst HF connectors: Coaxial, all miniature HF wire to board connectors (holy crap the naming is inconsistent) i.e. UFL, IPEX
- Worst audio connectors: cheap 3.5mm, spring clip terminal, binding posts (especially plastic knob ones)
- Worst residential AC plug: Europlug
- worst device-internal connectors: wire soldered through-hole, any Molex connector or power connector inside a computer
Worst internal connector by far is dual USB3, the cable is so thick and unwieldly, I always feel like the pressure from trying to bend it is going to rip the header off the board
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Solid ranking, but on audio you're neglecting XLR. Quarter inch jacks are indeed very satisfying, but XLR is so reassuring.
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What's wrong with europlug?
Had to go too far for BNC. You don't often question of that's seated properly... just if it's terminated properly
BNC RG59 twist on locking coaxial connector is the superior locking cable form factor.
I dislike the US power plug way more than the Europlug (or compatible sockets like Schuko). It just slides in, only thing holding it in is friction. Also, there is a connection while the contacts are exposed, exposing the user to the risk of shock.
Also, I like DisplayPort more than HDMI, it clicks really nice on insertion and in my opinion pulling it out is also more satisfying.
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I love XLR and mini-XLR. Durable connector, nice locking mechanism, satisfying click. Also very easy to wire yourself.
Did you know that XLR is also something of a standard for interchangeable sex machine attachments?
Garden hose. It has a satisfying click, and it stops water flow while disconnected π€―
Where are you from? Because here in the US, our garden hoses do neither of those things.
I like USB-C especially when it clicks.
I'm glad that most of the older formats are gone. Screws are cumbersome, USB formats were intentionally varied for profit, and molex would break itself before you could seat it properly.
I love USB-C for its universality and SATA cables are a nice alternative to the old IDE. I wish they'd come up with a better solution to the plastic clips on my Ethernet and PSU cables.
As for my favorite... Maybe 3.5mm? I mean, it's old as dirt but still super functional. Nice chunky clicks and usually a solid connection. I miss having a 3.5mm port on my phone. It obviously has some drawbacks, but it's a solid contender.
Thumb screws are great for a secure connection that holds up, and can be undone at any time, and takes the stress away from the port itself, since the screws support the stress, so you cant screw up the port by accidentally yanking the cable out like you can with HDMI.
USB variants? You mean mini and micro? That was so products could be made smaller and smaller, cause no one wanted a phone that had a USB B slot on it, making the phone an inch thick.
Everyone has different experiences, but in all my years of PC building and repairs, I only ever had 1 problem with a molex connector, and it was cause the pins had corroded together (PC had water damage, was seeing if anything was salvageable.)
3.5mm its old as dirt and functional, but its also flimsy. a bad bump and you can break the connections inside it without breaking it externally.. Which is what happened to my last pair of headphones...thankfully they had a replaceable cable.
USB-C is a major pain in the ass. You pick up a random USB-C cable. Okay.. is it a charging cable, or does it have data? is it Slow speed or high speed? Does it support thunderbolt? Who knows! Hope you label them and keep them properly separated!
USB-A, USB-B, USB-B Superspeed, mini-USB, micro-USB, micro-USB-Super Speed. Some of those also presented the issue of not having a simple visual indication of whether it was USB 1, 2, or 3. At least with USB-C, the cables should all work, even if you get slower speeds, whereas a USB-B-3 connector wouldnβt fit a USB-B-2 port at all.
The solution to the USB-C mystery cable is to just get a pile of Thunderbolt cables and then you can be sure itβll handle whatever the attached devices do.
Magnets. (How do they work?)
I replaced all my USB-C and Micro-USB connectors with magnetic ones. No more orientation worries, no more fumbling in the dark, no more not-inserting-it-hard-enough. Just bring the two into proximity and them magically snap together.
Bliss.
Yes. The Magsafe connector on MacBooks has a very reassuring snap and feels solid and durable. And the color coded light indicating whether it is charging or fully charged is very satisfying.
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BNC RG59 twist on, locking coaxial connector. The RG59 form factor is the pinnacle of locking cable connector form factors and should be implemented universally.
some connectors are designed to break easily. RG59 would not break, the device would break. Hence why one finds in middle connections.
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I'm a sucker for any connector that has a nice solid spring load mechanism that pops into place when properly connected. It should sound like a movie sound effect of a gun being reloaded.
I've also used some really nice quick release steering wheels, like on race cars or racing sims, where they have a spline connector with a tight fit and a good spring load.
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BNC connector, such a satisfying screw and click into place mechanism.
BNC is the one. No idea how this response is that far down and people are saying stuff like "USB-C". I guess people have no experience with the wonder that is a BNC connector...
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Jumper wire into bread board.
Runner-Up: Paper clip into Socket
Ergh english AC plugs are garbage, built in 13A fuse? Fix your damn power network, Australian plugs are easily better.
This will be the comment that starts the war between Britain and Australasia. During the first wave we'll just drop millions of plugs pin upwards on your streets, there will be severe foot damage on a scale you cannot fathom
The fuse thing comes from history but is still good because then each device is fused appropriately for its load. Get a short on a 3A circuit - fail nice and quickly. If you just rely on house wiring your breaker need to be the maximum possible load on the circuit.
That said of all the non UK plugs, the Australian one is up there. US are the worst and schuco (most of Europe) isn't great.
My first is RJ45, it's so clicky.
After that is everything held together by magnets. I bought a cheap magnet microusb cable for charging my headphones. It's like magsafe but way weaker.
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I use a hose a lot and I kept breaking those shitty plastic fittings. I bought some high-end solid brass ones made by CK Tools and oh my goodness they're satisfyingly clunky
I like Molex.
Said no one ever.
The best thing about Molex is I havenβt had to touch it for a while.
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Love the NL4 connectorβs locking system! Most things with a small twist to lock are niceβ¦
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I like a clunk or deeper click.
But when it comes to my keyboard I like a bump with a solid bottom out, not a click.
Currently though I've got some damn fine clunky toggle switches for some electronic projects that are super overkill for the project but they clack so good.
Standard usb connector because despite my having a 50% chance of having it right side up, the first attempt is always upside down.
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