The diode laser uses a fiber optic cord which needs to be trimmed about a centimeter after each use, which means the fiber eventually dwindles to nothing and needs to be replaced. To accommodate this diode laser fibers come in lengths several feet long. When a new fiber is attached it is awkward and in the way, however an even bigger problem is that the fibers are somewhat delicate and can easily be damaged. A damaged fiber must be replaced at a cost of many hundreds of dollars.
The Ivoclar Odyssey Laser addresses this problem in a unique and very effective manner. The fiber optic cord is contained in a cassette that unwinds the amount needed for work and then retracts it back for storage. It is a bit like a retractable measuring tape.