I agree with John Schroeder.  Connectors are a necessary evil, but you can minimize the problems by buying a high quality stripper and crimper.  I would bet that most "connector" problems aren't necessarily due to the design of the connector, but with less than ideal workmanship.  Using the correct pin size, the correct crimper for that pin, using a stripper that doesn't damage the conductors, etc. all contribute to a connector that is reliable and durable.  As someone mentioned, the aerospace industry has a proven track record with wire crimping and connectors.

 

My entire panel stubbed out to connectors, just like a panel from Aerotronics or Lancair.  Once it was bolted in the plane, I just had to plug a bunch of connectors together, very little crawling under the panel.  I didn't use connectors on my antennas, didn't want the additional signal loss, so I had to deal with those.  And the big fat wires had to be connected directly to my busses at the circuit breaker panel.

 

Mike Easley