An Interesting Finding Regarding Kila Lab's Single-Head

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:yeah:

Some of you may have read my earlier review postings on various stethoscopes from Kila Labs and GRX Medical (the CD27 is just amazing). I've been using Kila's single-head stethoscope (http://www.kila.com/specssingle.html) for a few months now and was impressed by the quality of the bi-lumen tubing, chest-piece, and clear/detailed sound. I've compared it directly with my friend's Master Cardiology many times. In fact, it is such good clone of the Master Cardiology in size, weight, looks, and performance that the only obvious difference is on the diaphragm. Yes, the Littmann has a tunable diaphragm. I happen to be the curious type of guy who likes to play with and test things. My buddy just happens to have a replacement tunable diaphragm/rim set for his Littmann, so I decided to try it on my Kila scope for fun...Lo and behold, it fitted on and functioned perfectly!!! I cannot resist comparing the two scopes again and had a difficult time telling which one is which (luckily my buddy's MC has his name engraved on it).

What I'm trying to tell you is this: You can now put together a Master Cardiology for $40! The replacement rim/diaphragm set is less than $10 and the Kila was about $30 shipped. My Kila single-head now has the full capability of auscultating hi/low frequency sounds from Littmann's tunable diaphragm! If you're already using a Kila single-head, then you know how good of a scope it is. Now you have an option of expanding its powers and upgrade its looks for next to nothing. Have fun guys! :up:

***MC rim/diaphragm set:

http://www.webmedbooks.com/content/productdetail.aspx?upc=4259949a-5405-4a06-a0ea-d71e6b8ed176

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If you ever wanted a career change, they probably would love you as a sales rep. I looked into the CD27 but couldn't find a lot people using it. If there was more feedback, I would consider getting one. However, I have to go with the majority and reputation of a Littmann.

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No, actually, I'm not that good of a salesman. I've made a career change from computer network engineering into the health industry recently. It's ok if you wanted to go with the majority and buy the Littmann...nobody's telling not to do so, in fact, I encourage you to do so if you have lots of money to spend or have doubts on what to choose for school. I've owned a Littmann Classic II SE and still have my Cardiology III (I still love it); however, I just feel cheated when there are things out there that could perform just as well and feels even more solid, yet cost less than half, which is the reason why I've started considering the underdogs out there. I was a victim myself, having fell for 3M Littmann's trick that turned me into a closed-minded guy for a long time. Please don't be mistaken and think my thread is to convince you or other Littmann users to switch stethoscopes; in contrast, many of these people dislikes me and tend to belittle me to try to discredit my opinions or claims in order to justify their spendings. It's okay. My intent is so that people who wants to get the best bang for their buck really do get the most for their hard-earned dollars (especially students). I'm not a salesman for Kila or GRX (they happen to be the only two other brands I've tested besides Littmann). But for people interested in trying out alternatives, please PM me so that I can give you some warnings.

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I agree just because something is the most expensive doesn't make it the best. Right now it is frustrating to have to buy something that I know very little about. I appreciate you sharing your findings and will make a mental note for the future. Thanks!

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beyondx4

Do you know if the Littman replacement diaphragm will fit on any other stethoscopes, like the GRX?

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GlenCoco,

With my limited experience, I'm not aware of another company that makes a single-head stethoscope that is so close in specifications to the Littmann MC as the Kila single-head. The only GRX scope that I currently have is the GRX CD27 (the CardioIII clone), which works beautifully as is. I do know of a nurse with this scope; she replaced the large diaphragm with a Littmann CardioIII tunable diaphragm and converted the peds diaphragm into a cone bell (which I'm sure you could switch in a Littman peds diaphragm if you really wanted to). Have fun!

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Specializes in Mental Health, Surgical-Ortho.

Well I decided to bit the bullet and be one of the first to try this one... GRXmedical is now offering a Lit Master Cardio clone... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310051103788 I figured... what the heck... its 35 bucks with shipping. Starting nursing school in the fall and it seemed like it would be worth a try. If it doesnt work out I will just get a Kila and will still be no worse off than if I had sprung for the Littman Classic. When I get it I plan on giving it to my mom to test out and report back (I will let you know what her findings are).

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CNA_Timmy,

Make sure your nursing school allows students to use single-head scopes. Honestly, if any student asks me what scope I would recommend, I wouldn't hesitate telling them to get the GRX CD27 due to its performance and versatility (it may be a bit heavy for some people). I just went into ebay to search for products offered by GRX Medical and have sadly found out they've stopped offering the CD27/penlight promotion. The only way to get it now is thru their website at full retail price :crying2: . Anyways, I'm not sure why the GRX MC clone you bought is NOT listed in their retail website like the rest of their stethoscopes, but if for some reason you are not satisfied with this scope, I highly recommend you exchange it for the CD27! Even at the retail price, the CD27 may be the best bang-for-the-buck for school and work.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Surgical-Ortho.

beyondx04

I contacted my school today and they do require a dual head scope. They said I can use any scope I want, however it must be registered with the FDA. I looked up the GRx CD27, and could not find it, nor could I find GRx at all. I also could not find Kila. Do you know if yours came with any package inserts with an FDA number? It says on their website that it is, however I do not want to buy another one without verifying it first.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfrl/rl.cfm

that is the website I was told to check it with, and I was told the product code for scopes was LDE.

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So far I have not heard anything from school about stethoscopes, other than the fact that we don't need to purchase one right now. I have not heard when we will need one though. We're in our geriatric rotation right now and each nursing home has scopes, but the ones at my location are HORRIBLE.

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CNA_Timmy,

Hmmm, registered to FDA? I think that is one of the most ridiculous **** I've ever heard. I don't recall even seeing an FDA registration certificate with either my Littmann Classic II Se or the Cardiology III. I was actually introduced to the CD27 by a few medical students from a respected med school. Hehe...don't know what to say. I'm not sure how the whole mfg process goes for health products, so maybe somebody could shine some light onto this issue.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Surgical-Ortho.

Ok just got an email back from GRx. It took a while because they were very willing to admit that it was FDA approved, and gave me the number. When I checked the number I verified it with the website and it came back legit, but with a different company name (a chinese exporter). I inquired about that and finally after dancing around the issue they told me that it was indeed a scope from china with a GRx logo screen printed on to the diaphram. They initally told me they manufactured the scope and so on, but oh well it is still a really nice scope (and china is the king of making clones) I just ordered the CD27 from the website... now I can have the dual head for school and a back up with the MC type. thanks for the help all... so if anyone else has an anal nursing program director... the GRx is indeed FDA cert.

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