Stethoscopes

I've had a few over the years and can always recommend a litman. Now I use a litman master cardiology at work and keep a cardiology III at home. As a great scope for a student I would recommend a Litman Master classic. I had one a few years ago and loved it. It ran around $65-70 and had great acoustics.

I agree, a Littman scope is the way to go! I have a master classic II and the acoustics are great! They are a little pricey but well worth the cost when you compare the quality to a sprague scope! Good luck with your nursing career!

Kelly:)

I like the Littemann lightweight. Comfortable around the neck. Not too long, or short and good sound. Costs around $50. Good luck:)

I had the Littmann Select II during school, and now I use the Cardiology III, love them both, great acoustics.

:-)

Funny story, when I went to buy my first Littman ( my hubby made me wait until AFTER graduation for a "nice"scope) I went to the store, like the Cardiology II, about $150 and the saleslady asked me what kind of nursing I was going into. I told her med-surg-renal and she shook her head and said, "Oh no dear, that is TOO much stethoscope for you" and tried to sell me a cheap one!! I bought my CII elsewhere, and for cheaper! I love it.

I got the CII, and I'm sooo glad. It's like the difference between stereo and hi-fi.

My father has been a CCU nurse for ever- when it came time for me to buy a stethoscope he kept telling me to buy something inexpensive like the LIttmann Lightweight because there is no difference. I bought the Master Classic and he laughed at me every time he saw it. Claimed I had wasted my money- right up until the day he forgot his at home and borrowed someone else's Littmann Cardiology 3. Two days later and he owns the $180 Master Cardiology.

My point? Don't let anyone tell you to buy cheap and that there is no difference.

I have a Litman II, and love it. My husband, who is a 2nd semester student nurse tried it, but was difficult to hear for him. We went on line and found a Phillips, very pricey, $220 he said. Hecan hear much better-it's amplified.

I have a Littmann Cardiology III. This is a really good stethoscope. My advice to you is to order it from a nursing uniform catalog vs buying it in a store. It will be about 20.00 cheaper on the wallet :)

Has anyone tried the "Ultrascope" stethoscope? I am about to replace my classic Littman and have heard a lot of great things about this new brand, but can find little info on it....

I hadn't heard of the Ultrascopes, AMV, but did a Google search and found a few sites with info:

http://www.ultrascopes.com/index.html

http://www.emsgoodies.com/ultra.html

http://www.audire.co.uk/site/why/

I started out with a Littmann Classic II and thought it was pretty good, but when I accidentally stepped on it and broke the tube, a coworker suggested the Littmann Cardiology III stethoscope (I have the 27 inch model) and I found it advertised in a Nursing magazine for around $125.00 two years ago. (It was from Budget Hospital Supply Co.) There was a noticeable difference in the quality of the accoustics and I love this stethoscope. The worst thing is having to use the cheapo stethoscopes the hospital provides as dedicated equipment when a patient is on isolation (contact precautions, for example). I cannot hear much of anything through them and often resort to using my trusty Littmann and wiping it down well afterwards with the disinfectant/antibacterial stuff provided.