Stethescope Comparison

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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Is it true that you get what you pay for with a stethescope, or are they all the same? what do you use?

Okay- so I've been reading up on stethescopes. I want a littman, but I am on a small budget. I've never worked in the medical field before, and starting school in the fall for RN. I've been debating over which scope to get. There's the master classic 2, classic 2, lightweight, cardio 3, and master cardio. For someone who has never worked in the medical field, I've been told to get a cheapy just to get through school. I like having top of the line things. My theory is, if I pay the money the first time around for the excellent, less money waisted down the road.

I am on a fixed income though, and I've found a website where the cardio 3 is 124.99 (not including shipping), the master cardio is 138.99, lightweight is 37.99, classic 2 is 60.99, and the master classic 2 is 71.99. I'm trying to keep it under $100.00 but having trouble deciding which one to get. If anyone could help me out a little better, I would appreciate it.

I know they all have soft-sealing eartips (which I heard is the only way to go) and some are 28" and some are 27".

Please help. Anyone?

Specializes in vascular, med surg, home health , rehab,.

I like the Littmann classic 2; don't need a cardiology scope, not a cardiologist. Earpieces are soft and cut out noise. I learned the hard way about the oils in your skin breaking down the rubber; mine got hard and ripped; sent it to them and got it back today, fixed for $40, I paid $80 2 years ago. Now I know why people wear those ugly scope covers. But to stop it wandering, keep it around my neck, so will have to find one. I thought the fix, which includes a cleaning and spare parts wasn't bad. Cheaper than a new one. Get a wild color, the brighter the better, then when you lose it, chances are it comes back. Black scopes vanish.

I really wouldn't recommend getting a cheap one. I guess if you constantly lose them it might be a requirement. Otherwise as a student I think it can be hard enough to know what you are listening for, you don't need your stethescope making it even more difficult. One problem I have seen with the cheap spragues is that the two tubes create too much background noise.

Not saying you need to spend a ton of money, but it seems like you get what you pay for. Also, if it wasn't cheap I am less likely to lose it or be careless with it. I'll lose ten pairs of cheap sunglasses in a year, but if they cost a $100 they seem to stick around forever. :D

I'd say especially as a student to invest in a nicer steth, if your budget allows it. As someone else mentioned, it's hard enough as a student to know what it is your suppose to be hearing. A better scope that you hear clearly with makes different sounds a lot easier to distinquish. I use the Littmann Master Classic II, and absolutely love it! I would suggest getting it engraved and using one of those tubing covers to help it to not walk away so easily. I would also suggest staying away from a black one, they do have a tendency to walk away more often.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Nothing compares to my littman, i love it! I have had several other brands such as prestige and they work well too, but comfort wise I love Littman.

Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.
I prefer Littmanns tunable diaphragm, particularly the Master Classic II with the single-sided chestpiece for low & high frequency sounds.

100% agreement. You'll get my MCII when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

As a side note, nobody uses my steth but me.... call it a pet peeve or personality quirk.

Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.
My advice would be to get a hip/waist clip and keep your scope there unless it's in your ears. Don't lend it!!!!

Another very good piece of advice.

I personally love my Littmann. It has lasted a long time and works great. I actually just received another Littmann Classic II stethescope (black, 28 inch) as a gift, but don't really need it. If anyone is interested in a great deal let me know!

Specializes in Geriatrics.

I myself have had issues hearing from the double tubed one also, someone gave me one. Fortunately I have a friend who is in clinicals now who has 4 different stethoscopes, which she let me try and the Littman was the one that I could hear out of the best. It was just a Littman special maybe? not an expensive one. I found the best price on www.allheart.com another good website was www.reddingmedical.com comparible prices there too. I am still trying to decide myself which one I want for clinicals.

good luck.

soontopassgas, i just pm'd you regarding the extra littman steth you have. i'm interested!

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I own a Littman Cardiology III---LOVE IT! I like the fact that the bell converts to a pediatric diaphragm--works great for smaller, elderly adults too.

During nursing school, I purchased a $25 Allheart.com brand cardiology scope for clinicals. It seems to work pretty well, but doesn't come with the pediatric versatility.

Good Luck with your search---personally, I think I am addicted to stethoscopes. I'm always online looking at them. Like I need another!

I love my Littmann. All to often in my unit, patients are in isolation rooms and we need to use the cheapie disposable stethescope they place in those rooms. What a difference in quality; you are lucky to hear anything with the cheap disposables.

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