I have used the easy snap connectors for a while now and even with that ball, they still get dirty and jam.
For the last year i have kept them connected all of the time and i just pull the pole hose out if i need to change the pole.
The end of the pole hose will keep coming undone eventually, but just snip an inch off the end of the pole hose and reconnect.
This is the best method i have found so far.