The next-generation headlight has a 25% longer run-time while providing a precise beam of light at 3 intensities
Endeavour XL is more than a name—it speaks to Orascoptic’s willingness to be bolder and brighter. It would be easy to rest on the laurels of its top-seller, the Endeavour headlight, which earned a Best Product designation from Dental Product Shopper in 2012. But fast-forward 5 years to the release of Endeavour XL, which has a 25% longer run-time than its predecessor.
“I have used the Endeavour system for years. The XL provides additional battery life to an already great product,” said Dr. William R. Davidson, a DPS evaluator who has been practicing for 36 years. According to Dr. Davidson, quality lighting in addition to overhead operatory lighting is essential when working under magnification. Notably, he and other evaluators who participated in this evaluation would all recommend Endeavour XL, another Best Product, to colleagues in the profession.
Light Output & Quality of Illumination
The excellence of Endeavour XL’s intensity and brightness of light output was undisputed among the evaluators. This headlight was designed with the addition of multiple light intensities and 25% brighter light output than the Endeavour. Orascoptic provides a curing fi lter to further enhance visibility, which Dr. Peter Dantini reported worked better than a competitor brand. Overall, Dr. Dantini found the beam to be compact and highly focused. “The beam is tightly focused and more comfortable as reported by several patients,” he said.
For Dr. Christina Do, Endeavour XL “completely solved the problem” of not being able to see the dark corners of the mouth. This headlight gave her clarity and made the fi eld of practice brighter. Dr. Ken Schwartz agreed that this headlight fulfi lled his need for better visibility during endodontic procedures.
“I think [Endeavour XL] improved my chairside experience for my patients, my dentist, and myself because I was able to see and document and be more comprehensive without missing areas I could not see without the light,” said hygienist Billie Castro. He added, “This product gave me the capability to have the light exactly where I needed it, in contrast to an overhead light which is restricted.” Hygienist Linda Alton wanted a headlight that could improve her ability to see in the back of the mouth. “I was able to see the distals of the 12-year molars. I was able to see areas that I had to scale and explore just by tactile skill,” she said.
Ease of Adjusting Light Intensity
The Endeavour XL has a capacitive touch control, allowing the user to select the optimal light output for each procedure (low at 53 lumens, medium at 68 lumens, and high at 85 lumens). Dr. Dantini remarked on the headlight’s simple operation, although he would prefer infi nite adjustments for the brightness—especially lower settings—with the possibility of changing the light’s color to a warm setting. Dr. Zach Orden also reported that he would have preferred a mechanical switch with a more tactile feel, and Dr. Do and Dr. Ivan Terrero would have liked the on/off functionality to be more receptive.
Battery Run-Time
The lithium ion battery’s run-time was another area where Endeavour XL stood out, with nearly 90% of evaluators reporting that it was “excellent.” Orascopic estimates the battery life to be 10 to 24 hours depending on the light setting, while constant-current technology ensures that output will not diminish during the run-time. Dr. Robert Kramer wanted battery longevity, and he found that the Endeavour XL “held up well.” Dr. Davidson also commented on the Endeavour XL’s ability to provide an “extremely long” run-time.
While battery run-time had the second highest score among features, evaluators focused more of their comments on battery weight.
Overall Comfort
Dr. Dantini found the battery pack of a competitor brand to be lighter and thinner “but nowhere near as durable.” The weight wasn’t an issue for him because he wears scrubs with a lab coat. “I found that I placed the battery pack in my coat’s front pocket to allow easy access to the on/off/brightness,” he explained, echoing Dr. Orden’s suggestion of a remote on/off switch on the cable.
Both Dr. Do and Dr. Schwartz noted some diffi culty with having additional weight on their nose. However, Alton rated her overall comfort as “very good.” She felt the light does interfere a little with eye contact with the patient, and had to adjust her movement a bit when searching for instruments or products, but called it an “easy habit to learn.”
Overall Satisfaction
More than half of the participating evaluators said they would purchase the Endeavour XL, which comes with a 3-year warranty on both the cable and LED, and a 1-year warranty on the battery pack.
Alton felt she was more effi cient as a clinician and said, “I think many [patients] liked that I was interested in making an investment to help me see better.” Castro’s patients also really enjoyed his use of the headlight instead of the overhead light that was blinding them. He concluded, “Visibility is one of the fundamental goals of instrumentation. I do not want to work without a headlight from now on.”
