To be clear, I'm not criticizing the CM and didn't get hung up on the OP's tone, though I can see how folks would. Sorry about that.
I can understand how folks have issues with TC connectors.
As a counterpoint, I run a small CM and engineering firm and we love Tag Connect.
If you're dealing with truly high volume runs, get the ICs programmed before they're on the boards.
For smaller runs, the clipless TC connectors work great IME.
> If you're dealing with truly high volume runs, get the ICs programmed before they're on the boards.
That is absolutely 100% the way to go.
However, this week I got tremendous pushback on this for a current project with a build volume in the mid six figures... exactly where you'd want to be using pre-programmed parts. It took me a while to figure out what was really happening was the firmware lead (who thinks himself an EE) was spewing out nonsense to cover for the fact that he'll never be ready to deliver in time to preprogram anything. I wish he'd have just said that and saved us all the nasty argument....
That kind of thing definitely gets under my skin more than it should.
I'm sorry you had to deal with that!