[newlpn08]

When I started nursing school in Jan 2007, I purchased a Sprague stethoscope that came in a bag with a blood pressure cuff. I had a hard time hearing through the Sprague, but I worked with it until this week. I finally decided to get something better. So I looked at the Littman's and listened to some that other nurses had, but I didn't want to spend that much money. I read about the GRX CD-27 on this board, and ordered it online, because I could deal with $45 for a stethoscope.

Here is my opinion about my new stethoscope - I LOVE IT

Ordering and shipping
I ordered online with GRX medical on Tue 3/11/08 in the afternoon.
With tax and shipping I paid $56. I just choose us postal service shipping.
I received the package yesterday Fri 3/14/08.
Service does not come much better than that.

Package
Package included 1 CD-27 stethoscope
2 extra stethoscope membranes
2 extra ear plugs (I ended up changing to the smaller ones as they fit my ears better)
Freebies - they advertise additional stuff on their websites for steths more than $45, and as promised
1 pair of bandage scissors (bigger and better than the ones I already had)
1 name tag
1 pen light (I prefer my pen light that I got at Walmart better, but it is nice to have an extra one.

So my experience with GRX was great, next the CD-27 itself

I weighed my Sprague 9 1/2 oz
CD-27 8 oz

I listened to my heart with my Sprague - dull sound (I'm a little hard of hearing)
I listened to my heart with the GRX - I heard about 25-45% better with the CD-27

For me this was an excellent purchase. I purchased it in Purple, and have my nametag on it, so hopefully it does not get legs. I have clinicals in CCU in a couple of weeks, so the real proof will be then. So far I have only listened to myself and my daughter, but I hear much better with the CD-27. When I listen to my daughter though, she holds her breath (only 10 years old, like to tease mom), so I don't know about the lung sounds except on myself, and they are more clear with my CD-27.

[keaton90]

Just wondering if anyone else has used this steth or the CD-25? I found them on EBay for $23.95 + Shipping....

[Jaguar Boy]

Thank you for posting about this stethoscope...I've been reading about it and its gotten some great reviews. I'm toying with the idea of getting the TC7, the titanium cardiology, it's supposed to be lighter weight. And I appreciate that you posted the weight! I couldn't find it anywhere else!

[JaredCNA]

I wonder how this scope compares to the Littmann Cardio III or Master Cardiology. Does anyone know?

[newlpn08]

I still love my CD-27 stethoscope. I received an e-mail from somebody who has spent some time learning about stethoscopes, and I wanted to quote some of the information he gave me:

"Many doctors/med students in her class uses GRX stethoscopes, not just because they want to save money, but because the tunable diaphragm causes alot of problems when learning to accurately diagnose heart defects. The Littmann tunable diaphragm requires a firm and level pressure on the patients' chests in order to reproduce the high pitch sounds accurately, unfortunately, this requires a relatively flat surface, otherwise the sound will be muffled and imprecise. This is where the GRX's normal diaphragm and traditional bell comes into play: it enables the students to listen to the heart sounds with little interference and the low pitch sounds from the bell is clean and true."

I knew I loved my CD-27, but I didn't know exactly what it was that made it so good. Hope you find the above information as helpful as I did.