First of all I never said my 3.5 mm connectors are better than a locking connector that would be moronic. What I did say is I use a quality connector that has a very low failure rate. And my connectors have EVERYTHING to do with my preamp sales. If they sucked I would never sell a preamp. I agree a locking connector is better but not the only way to connect audio. Companies like Sony, Roland, Teac ect agree, Until someone makes a cheap connector that is stereo that is the same size and locks it will always be a standard for small recording devices. Its all about size nobody makes a "affordable" locking connector that has the same size as a 3.5 mm jack NOBODY. Yeah I know about lemo I know about microdot ect... But again they are very expensive. If I my customers were willing to pay the difference I would love to use locking connectors but I cant justify $70 extra in parts for a lemo connector x 4 for my preamps. The 3.5 mm connector when you get the right one is very reliable and does not cause static issues with your recordings and does not get unplugged unless you tug at it. I dont want to argue but 2000 + preamps tell the whole story.
Mini-xlr or Binder connectors are both excellent alternatives and mini-xlr is very much affordable. Both Sound Devices and Schoeps prefer these and those are companies I would trust far more than Teac, Roland, etc. It's the whole "if everybody jumped of a bridge..." logic.
Also, at no point have I discussed the quality of 3.5mm connectors used (I am sure you use quality components), merely that the connector design as a whole is not great for what we do. Failure rates are indeed low; if assembled with the proper strain relief, there is little risk of developing a short and of course not having pins means nothing can get get accidentally bent. However, none of this minimizes the risk of operator error and they are easy to accidentally become unplugged. The argument put forth in this thread that "in 20 years it's never happened to me" is about as defensible as the 'pull-out' method of contraception. It's just a matter of time if you do not address the risk at a fundamental level.
Quality Mini-xlr components can be had for relatively cheap... ~$2.50 per jack or plug from the right sources. Knowing that, it's fine to offer 3.5mm as a cost-saving alternative, but I would never recommend a 3.5mm TRS w/o first recommending a high-quality locking type connector.