Non-Littman Stethoscope Recommendations

[MediWitch]

Currently stethoscope shopping and I wanted to get some opinions on a few I was thinking about ordering to try out.

During my Phlebotomy clinical I just wasn't a big fan of the Littmann they had me use, I believe it was the Lightweight. Since then I have 'tried out' a few in passing, but not in a clinical setting...and I just can't decide.

1. Prestige medical...I loved this one. I have heard complaints about the weight but that has been what I liked the most about it! I was able to hear clearly and for the short time I had it it was comfortable...I really liked it!

2. Omron, same as the prestige as far as weight and sterdyness...couldn't hear as well, but that could've just been me since I only messed with it for a second.

3. ADC...was meh. I have heard good things about it, but they had none in stock other than a used display one.

Please share your thoughts with me and I'd take any others!

(Also considering a Littmann Classic II, but I'd really like to hear about different ones)

PS. I was going to delete this post because I found the other thread. Seems like you can't delete though

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've had a Prestige Clinical Lite stethoscope since 2005. It only weighs a few ounces, picks up sounds decently and cost about $30.

Ultrascope is another brand to consider. People love them for the great sound and the cute designs. The Maxiscope is the budget version of the Ultrascope.

[mk3rn]

Ulttascope!

[WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN]

I'll be the third to recommend and ultrascope! They are much more affordable than a Littmann. I have a Littmann Cardiology III and a pediatric sized ultrascope. I work primarily with kids with congenital heart defects in a PICU, both pre and post surgery. It is essential that I can pick up on murmurs. I feel I can hear them much better with my ultrascope than my Littmann. Plus the ultrascope is so much lighter in weight than my Littmann. I almost cringe when I have an adult sized patient and I have to pull out my Littmann...

[mcknis]

I will continue to reiterate the same as I have said before in other posts, any brand will work, but yes there are some that are proven to be better. I have used some really cheap scopes and have liked them more than more expensive scopes (littmann CII). Although I dislike the Littmann Classic II, I really have liked the knockoff versions of the same design, like the Prestige Clinical I (not Clinical Lite (or other "lite" models), as I found the head is too lightweight to pick up good sounds unless on a healthy individual);or ADC 603. I have used sprague-type stethoscopes and have found that the quality of these vary from one brand to the next. ADC, Omron, or anyone else for that matter making them right now seem to have a pretty poor design going on. I do, however, like the sprague from Prestige. I think Prestige is a good brand to look at and have been in business for a while, but unlike Littmann, they do NOT use the floating diaphragm design. It is for this reason (the floating diaphragm) that most find Littmann stethoscopes difficult to hear with. I have had to go through and replace the diaphragm on my Littmann stethoscopes in order to hear the best out of them. I have liked the Littmann Select stethoscope, but after using the Littmann Cardiology III for the past 7 years, it is hard to turn it away. I figured I will keep using it until something major happens to it. BTW, the tubing has already cracked and i had to replace it. Many said to send it back to Littmann and let them take care of it, but I chose to just buy replacement "look-a-like" tubing from China on eBay. It still works equally well and no problems at all. One other brand, besides Prestige, to consider is that of MDF. This company has a lifetime warranty and lifetime of replacement parts for the life of your stethoscope. We have about a dozen staff in the ER who have switched to MDF after their scopes have grown legs and they have nothing but positive reviews to boast. Good luck on whatever you decide!