Do you recommend Littmann for a steth? Pros/Cons of it.

Katnip, RN · Jun 24, 2004

Sorry. Somehow I was trying to edit and accidently posted twice. :uhoh3:

Katnip, RN · Jun 24, 2004

I have a Littman Cardiology III. Makes a HUGE difference in hearing things. The difference is binaural tubing. There are two tubes inside, one for each ear, surrounded by the outer covering. It decreases outside noise tremendously. Cheaper models only use the one tube-the visible one.

I had the Classic SE II during school and it functioned well enough for me, but my new one is still much better.

Except for electronic stethoscopes, they don't work by amplifying sound, they work by muffling ambient noise, and channeling what your diaphragm is focused on to your ears.

truern · Jun 24, 2004

I ordered the Littman Classic II with engraving, but FORTUNATELY they didn't put my name on it because I had to return it. I just couldn't hear with it

I now have the Littman Cardiology and I love it!! Remember you don't just listen to blood pressures, etc...you have to assess heart sounds and breath sounds, too.

It really makes it easier to assess when you can HEAR.

Btw, for looks you can't beat an Ultrascope....they're so pretty :)

Ruylupez · Jun 24, 2004

I started school with a very cheap one that I bought at the local wal-mart and I had trouble hearing for blood pressures with it. After a few months I got a Littmann Lightweight and it is much better. I know some friends from school have more expensive stethoscopes that do a much better job. I guess you tend to get what you pay for.

JimmyMallo · Jun 24, 2004

I have a Littman lightweight II SE and I just threw it in the trash!! It is better than the $9 throw aways you can get at Wal-mart but not much. If you look at Littman's website they list it as for BP and LIMITED assesment only, more like a CNA scope. I just got my Cardiology III and LOVE IT!!! It is like night and day. I got mine at allheart.com and it was only like $127 with shipping. Sounds like alot but it has a 5 year warrantee and in most schools it is less money than you pay for uniforms :rotfl:

Some people feel that a cheap one will do for school and they will upgrade when they are more experienced but think about it, when you are less experienced don't you need MORE input to figure out a problem? The Cardiology III picks up sounds I didn't even know existed. I checked a patient for rails in left lung the other day and actually heard a heart murmur. Before I got this scope I didn't even know what that sounded like. That's my 2¢ anyway.

Achoo!, LPN · Jun 24, 2004

Does anyone have an ultrascope? Does it work well?

agent · Jun 24, 2004

Great thread. Thanks guys

Rhoresmith · Jun 24, 2004

I bought my Cardiac II on Ebay for 65 bucks brand new check out EBAy and see if there are any there. Mine was from a girl whose brother-in-law is a doctor and gets them for free from the companies and doesn't need them gives them to her and she makes money off of them. I can not hear a thing with a cheap steth and when students have borrowed mine they can't believe the difference in what they can hear

My gripe is if Littman is going to give them away should be to STUDENTS who are broke not the doctors making money already

Mandarella · Jun 24, 2004

Exactly...just like celebrities who get EVERYTHING for free whils everyone else has to pay for it...I'll never get it:rolleyes:

I bought my Cardiac II on Ebay for 65 bucks brand new check out EBAy and see if there are any there. Mine was from a girl whose brother-in-law is a doctor and gets them for free from the companies and doesn't need them gives them to her and she makes money off of them. I can not hear a thing with a cheap steth and when students have borrowed mine they can't believe the difference in what they can hear
My gripe is if Littman is going to give them away should be to STUDENTS who are broke not the doctors making money already

Mandarella · Jun 24, 2004

I have a Littman master classic, works well I think but everyone's hearing is different. I had a classic II SE before, worked well too. If I had a choice I would get the cardiology version. Maybe for a graduation gift to myself!!! BUT, whatever you decide to get, engrave your initials on the chestpiece as well as purchase a name tag for it...they go a walkin'...often.:angryfire Many nurses I know have lost theirs, if your initials are engraved it's less likely people will want it..either to use or resell...

Hi, getting ready to purchase my steth (HOW EXCITING) for school. I have one that is pretty cheap, think it's like a 9.00 one. Does the job. Im interested in a LITTMANN, do you think I am because of the name? Or are they really better than the others? Which model do you have? There are two models I was interested in (mainly due to the pricing). They were Classic II and the II SE Lightweight. Do any of you have either? I was leaning more towards the lightweight but wasn't sure of the bell shape the way it was. Can any of you help me out?
Thanks!!!
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ASN classes start Aug 04.......SOOOO EXCITED!!!!! YEAH, I made it this far!

2ner · Jun 24, 2004

I agree with going w/ a Littman. I bought my master classic II se and absolutely love it! I've used others (after de-germing it for sure) and notice a GREAT differerence. I wouldn't get anything else....other than a cardiac one after getting out of school. I figure my husband buys a ton of snap-on parts, so I don't feel the least bit bad about spending the extra money on a good scope (and it is just that....i can pick up so much that my classmates can't with their less expensive scopes). Definelty get it engraved. Got mine from allheart and paid around 80 bux w/ the engraving. Just guard it w/ your life. :chuckle