Got any stethoscope recomendations?

Nursing Students General Students

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I am a beginning nursing student and we are required to purchase our stethoscopes within the next few weeks. There are so many brands and quality levels. Littman seems to be widely used. I think I want to go ahead and get a nicer one for the sound quality since I will be working with it for several years (if it doesn't walk). I don't want to overspend though...I am a student after all. Any suggestions from you more experienced ones out there? :confused:

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Littman I think it was SEII cost me 45 dollars and solved all my "I can't hear jack" problems. :)

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I agree. The Littman Classic II SE is great. Not overpriced, but quality. Lots of fellow students in my school have the same one.

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Thanks for your recomendations. I was looking at the Littman Classic II SE and the Master Classic II. The Master looks like better acoustics for just a few dollars more but doesn't have the double bell. I feel silly now, putting so much time into this but I WILL be using it almost every day for the next few years.

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I put tons of time into it, too--had to have the perfect one. It's a pretty major piece of equipment and you want something that's really useable.

Our school requires a stethoscope with a diaphragm and a bell--that's why I didn't go with the Master Classic. I was worried I'd lose out on sound quality, but I can hear great with the Classic II. MUCH better than with the freebie one I was given! :chuckle

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I choose the Littman Classic II also. I tried the Master Classic and didn't hear nearly as well with it. Go to a store and try them out on yourself. You may be suprised that the cheapest one works for you (I have seen in other threads that many found this to be the case!!). Once you have found the right one, check for pricing at different places. I got mine for MUCH less online than it was in any of our local med shops.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I bought a cheapie when I started school....Sprague (sp?). I got it & the bp cuff for ~$30. I am now a nurse & still use it. I can hear better out of this than any Littman I have tried. I have had so many people "borrow" it & they can't get over how well you can hear! It disappeared at work....then re-appeared after I spread the word far & wide!:chuckle

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Go with a Littman. I had a sprauge and it is a piece of crap IMO. Most of the students and RNs I work with have the Classic II and it works just fine. I have the Cardiology III and it is awesome, but you don't have to spend that much money on one.

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I love my Ultrascope. Pick your hand painted design and tubing color --- it's so distinctive that no one will walk off with it. Oh, and sound quality is excellent (I guess that's important too. :chuckle )

UltraScope Stethoscopes

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
Go with a Littman. I had a sprauge and it is a piece of crap IMO. Most of the students and RNs I work with have the Classic II and it works just fine. I have the Cardiology III and it is awesome, but you don't have to spend that much money on one.

Like I said mine is great....try different brands & get the one that suits you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Master Classic II....I love it...I don't think you can go wrong with a Littman either way....I thought I read that you can utilize this similar to the diaphram and bell models? I don't have the book handy, however...

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I have a Littman Cardiology and I just bought a Littman electronic as I have a low level hearing problem. Noticed I was fine with everything but sometimes missed lung sounds in the bases so I went with that. Cost me an arm and a leg but I can turn it up or turn it down as I need to. I really like it. Good luck to you!

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