Feedback - Would be nice if the next revision of the Smoothieboard used connectors that were a little more common. I noticed when I got my smoothieboard that the green connectors you are using were not at all common, I had to basically resolder in JH connectors. Also having to order a 5v voltage regulator to solder on should be something that the board come’s with, these boards aren’t cheap after all.
Imported from wikidot
These connectors are readily available: RS Components or Element 14 for instance:
Check out the connectors BOM - it has many sources of components:
(I tried posting links, but it appears I can’t just now because I am “low karma” 
- just look for the “Connectors BOM” link at the bottom of the V1 page)
RAMPS is the most used board in the Reprap world ( Smoothie is second btw ), and it has those connectors.
Chinese controllers for laser cutters and CNC mills most of the time have those connectors everywhere too.
They are cheap, reliable, and extremely common. I’m not sure where you are coming from if you aren’t familiar with them, they are pretty much the most commonplace connector I can think of in the CNC world.
About price, the boards are actually sold at a heavy discount to encourage growing their popularity. A RAMPS board ( of non-“will burn your house down” quality ) is much much less powerful, and is about the same price as a Smoothieboard. This is what it costs to produce good quality boards and develop both the hardware, the firmware, write the documentation and provide support : we definitely don’t make much profit ( despite massive efforts to reduce production cost ), and most of that profit then goes into supporting the community.
I was new to 3D printing when I made the post. The smoothieboard BOM listed on the website led me to DigiKey and other suppliers which is fine, but JST connectors are I-m-o more popular. They can easily be crimped, and sourced. The Screw terminals are nice, but for the plug in keyed connector’s, JST I-m-o is the better option. I have quite a few 3D printers now, and my original Smoothieboard is the only printer that has used them for two pin connectors. My smoothieboard is nicer by far to my MKS SBase, but I found working with the SBase connectors easier; only because I don’t have to order obscure part numbers and buy connectors that basically will never be used for anything other then my Smoothieboard.
I guess when the new Smoothieboard comes out, Im kind of hoping that the two pin connector’s get changed. They may be popular in CNC, I’m not familiar; I only know in my limited experience with 3D printing I have never seen them used on any 3D printer other then the smoothieboard. RAMBO, RAMPS, Duet, azteeg, and the Chinese versions of all of them don’t use the connectors. Maybe its different for CNC only boards; but for a 3D printer; they aren’t at all common.
Anyways just my feedback for what its worth. I love the smoothieboard otherwise and am eagerly awaiting the next version. I have my pennies saved up for it.
Keep up the good work Arthur and team!