A good crimp comes from a good crimper. Some of the pin style connectors have specific crimpers. As a general all-around crimper, you can't beat a LOBSTER. Most of the ratchet style crimpers are pretty good, although I prefer to remove the ratchet assembly from the lobsters. As for soldering, if it's a high amp application, I'll crimp and solder. If it's a high movement / vibration app, no solder as the wire will break at the solder.

Amphenol solder pin connectors are just about bulletproof. They've been military standard for a long time.