Dear Charlie,

I have a bet with my Service Manager that screw-on BNC connectors are not the best connectors that we could be using. He says that they are faster to install and so we should use them to cut costs. I say we should stick to the crimp on BNC. Who's right? Help! This is worth$10.00 to me.

Just sign me Cash Coming in California.

Dear Cash Coming,

You are right! Although the Screw-on BNC connectors appear to save you time in the field, they have too many factors against them to make them a true cost saving factor. 1. Screw-on connectors can and do vibrate loose, causing for sporadic video signal problems. 2. Screw-on connectors are not considered moisture tight and in actuality suck up moisture through the threaded base of the connector causing corrosion of the coaxial cable. 3. Most cases of connector problems that I have seen, that involve the Screw-on connectors are caused by improper installation of the connector and/or the use of a cheap connector. 4. These connectors cannot be used in any circumstance where; the cable may be in motion (pole to pole or pan/tilt installations); outside (to many humidity problems); or where the connector may be put on and taken off a piece of equipment often (field patch cords). In the end, many manufacturers of cameras systems are starting to label the Screw-on BNC as an illegal connector due to the extensive problems found in the field. My best advise is that if yours is a long term company, stick to the three piece crimp on BNC connectors. At the end of the day, a good technician can install a three piece crimp on BNC connector in the same amount of or less time than a Screw-on connector.