This is the top of the Ova8 range of poles, made from their best quality carbon fibre technically called 40T, but more commonly referred to as the HiMod version. We have been using the 22ft version and this review will help you decide if it is the right pole for your window cleaning business.
You can buy Ova8 poles in many places, but they are licenced for sale in the UK to Streamline Systems, and we recommend buying them directly from them. Click here to see the Ova8 poles available to buy directly from Streamline.
Deflection
The Ova8 40T HiMod is an excellent performer in the deflection test, its unique shape helps it to be more rigid.
Vertically it deflected by just 8mm across a 5.85m span. Even when weighted down it only dropped in the centre by 125mm. As with all the non-round poles we have tested, they perform better vertically than horizontally, but even so, the results horizontally were excellent with just 25mm and 158mm respectively.
This shows that it is a stiff pole that will be good to work with. This is echoed in real-life testing, where the pole feels rigid and you feel connected to the glass you are cleaning.
Weight
The 22ft Ova8 HiMod pole weighs in at 1175g. It feels nice and light in your hand, but it has chosen to focus on stiffness rather than weight.
It is 175g lighter than the 24T full carbon version of the Ova8, and you can feel the difference. This is the lightest quality of carbon fibre in the Ova8 range. If you are looking for a lighter pole you could consider the Boss Mod which has focused on weight rather than rigidity.
Ergonomics
The ergonomics across the whole Ova8 range are excellent and are identical on all their poles.
The pole cross-section is like an oval with two flattened sides.
While pole shape is a personal preference, we prefer non-round poles. We find they are more comfortable and they reduce fatigue in your hand. When round poles made our hands ache (especially in older workers) the shape of the Ova8 has eased that greatly. We have found that most people generally prefer the non-round pole shape for comfort.
One of the major advantages of a non-round pole is that it can’t rotate. This reduces the strain on your elbows of trying to stop the pole from rotating on the glass.
Also, the shape helps the pole to last longer as the clamps don’t need to be tightened as much since they are only stopping the pole from extending, not from spinning.
It has a good end cap that protects the pole but is also shaped to stop the hose from getting damaged or kinking.
Clamps
We really like the Ova8 clamps and they are easy and responsive to use.
The Ova8 clamps are identical across the Ova8 range. They are bolted onto the pole sections rather than glued. They are easily adjustable without any tools.
Even though by default the clamps are set up for a right-handed person, the levers can be removed and installed the other way around for a left-hander.
They have built-in small plastic shims that help them to tighten securely and hold in place.
The clamps feel very natural to use and are very responsive. Once opened they stay wide open without any feeling of drag on the pole, and it doesn’t feel like you are overtightening them when they close.
Final thoughts
To fit a univalve to it, the first section has been shortened by a few inches. Fitting a Univalve is relatively simple to do, but if you are unsure it is available to buy with a univalve pre-fitted.
Streamline has a good range of accessories and brushes. If you want to use a non-Ova8 brush it is simple, you can buy some brush sockets (or swivel sockets), and screw them into the stock of any other brush.
The 40T Ova8 is available in 22ft and 60 ft variations. The non-HiMod full carbon version is called the 24T and there is a 30T version too if you are looking for a cheaper version of the longer length poles.
We are huge fans of the Ova8 40T window cleaning pole. It is great for everyday use and is well made. The price makes it a premium pole and maybe something you buy to treat yourself instead of giving to workers that may not take as much care of it. Its unique shape is comfortable and it is really stiff and good to use, leaving you refreshed at the end of the day. It really is at the top end of what is available in a water fed pole.
If you want to buy an Ova8 pole we recommend buying directly from Streamline Systems. You can click here to see the full range of Ova8 poles.
You can see Squeaky Clean Dave using the pole in the video below:
Do you own an Ova 8 HiMod pole? What are your thoughts on it? Do you agree with what we say? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, check out our pole comparison table below to see how the Ova8 40T HiMod compares to other poles we have reviewed.
Absolutely love my ova8 hi mod, it’s my everyday pole. It can rattle around like old bones if you don’t tighten the clamps after some time. It’s light and rigid, great for one handed velux cleans! I wish there was more hi mod options, 25, 35 etc. In my experience Streamline did not provide a good customer service or package the pole properly, it has a bend in it now! There should be more suppliers of this fantastic product.
Thant’s a really interesting point to have more length options. Have you seen they do a 30t 40ft? It’s a slightly different carbon fibre to the 22ft 24t