Asklemmy

Plugging in a 1/4" jack into a guitar or amp is always pretty satisfying.

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.

• 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

I love XLR and mini-XLR. Durable connector, nice locking mechanism, satisfying click. Also very easy to wire yourself.

Garden hose. It has a satisfying click, and it stops water flow while disconnected 🤯

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.

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.

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.

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.

BNC connector, such a satisfying screw and click into place mechanism.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love the NL4 connector’s locking system! Most things with a small twist to lock are nice…

It's probably whatever my phone charger uses (USB C probably), but that's mostly because I'm associating the little buzz my phone does when it starts charging with the connection. So yeah, purely fetishistic.