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by Amxixi29

I just have a question about where to test out stethoscopes at. I know there are plenty of places to buy online for a great price but I would like to try one on before committing to a purchase. Are there any stores in the Chicago land area I can go to?

I've been reading a lot of threads about what is the "best" stethoscope...and I am considering a Littmann Master Classic II or the Littmann Cardiology III. I am leaning towards the Cardio III. I will be starting my first R.N. job in a month and it is on a med/surg floor.

I already have the Littmann Lightweight II S.E. stetheocope but I just want to upgrade to a better one. I've read the Cardio III is a bit on the heavy side so I want to see how that feels.

Any opinions would be great!! Thanks...and I just love this forum =)

[Atl_John]

Re: Where to buy stethescopes??

I have the Master Classic II have for a few years now.....while I like it for general things if you have cardiac patients with "quiet" hearts I was often unable to hear their heart with my Master Classic (yes I do know how to use it ). I had to quite a few times go and get my professors Cardiology III. General rule the shorter and fatter the tubing the better the sound. You may also want to look at the Master Cardiology and take a look at Littmans website as I recall they have a nice little graph that shows their various steth's and what they are best used for (diagnosing, assessing, etc). Then there is always the old hey can I see your steth I want to compare it to others. Ask your clinical instrutor, a fellow nurse, etc if you may see theirs and listen to a patient using hers/his and yours, try them out before you buy. Heck listen to yourself with them to see which ones you like the best.

[Dixielee]

Re: Where to buy stethescopes??

Don't know about Chicagoland....but I tested several before I got my Littman Cardiology 3. I borrowed them from co-workers for an hour or so, and made my decision. I also checked the Littman site. You can get a good idea about the acoustics from them. They compare all of their scopes based on that. There was very little difference between the Card 3 and the next most expensive, but a big difference in the Card 3 and the next least expensive.

I have never found it too heavy at all. I wear it draped around my neck all shift and feel "naked" without it. Yes, it is worth the cost, but don't leave it lying around, or you may find yourself without one.

[ann945n]

Re: Where to buy stethescopes??

I have the Littman Cardiology III and am very happy with my choice. I just can't go without it. I can hear everything with ease. I would recommend it you wont regret it! I got it online and had the metal peice of it engraved with my name for theft proctection

[mark3274]

Re: Where to buy stethescopes??

I have a ultrascope and it works great.

I got that when I was a Aemt-B and now I am A GN(soon to be RN after nclex)