HELP!! Cardio III or Classic II SE??

Lovely_RN, MSN · May 27, 2011

I had the Littmann Liteweight when I was in school and for my first nursing job. I felt that the tubing was a little short but it got the job done and cost about $50. Unfortunately I floated to another floor and left it in the med cart and one of my fellow nurses stole it. :confused:

After that I ordered the II and I like the longer tubing better than the lightweight version. I have no problem hearing anything and it's really good considering the price. It was $69.99, I paid $14 extra to have my name laser engraved, and it's pink to help deter sticky fingers.

The Cardio III is probably really amazing but is it necessary? Not really.

hsienko · May 27, 2011

Hi everyone! I was hoping someone could send me in the right direction. I am looking to buy a new stethoscope for nursing school and I have been reading some of the stuff everyone has posted and it seems that Littmann is the brand I should go with, but which type??? A few people said not to go too crazy when your still in school, but I would rather buy a good one that will last me throughout school and even in my career. Besides, I don't want to not do well in clinical because I got a "decent" stethoscope and I can't hear very well... I don't care too much about the price (however I would like to keep it below $200) but I would really like something that works well, is not too heavy, and that I can hear well with. I should also mention I am one of those people who gets distracted easily by background noise (especially if I am new at something and am nervous to begin with). It seems that the cardio III and the classic II SE are the most commonly used.. Any suggestions?? Thanks!! :)

the only problem with a cardio scope is they have a solid end, and really are horrificly useless for obstetrics, labor, and delivery, which is a rotation most students have to go through. So, although the cardio scope *may* be superior for med-surge, it's got a serious weakness if your program has a baby rotation.

tnt714 · May 28, 2011

is there any that you would recommend? i would just hate to spend the money and get the wrong one ... :confused:

Lovely_RN, MSN · May 28, 2011

I'm happy with my Classic II but maybe you should do a search? There are a lot of threads weighing the pros and cons of various Littman's as well as other brands of stethoscope.

hsienko · May 28, 2011

i highly recommend the littmann classic 2 se scope as a student. if you end up in telemetry or on a cardiac floor as a career, a cardio scope isn't a bad investment, but as a student it's (upper to me) mid range, has a pediatric bell/sensitive diaphragm (reversible, twist the head)and really works good for me personally. I'm not someone with 5000 years of experience but I definitely am happy with it, and I've tried a few different. I just know this particular scope is very useful when you're trying to get the rr/hr of a withdrawal baby having rates of around 80+/175+, but other scopes (even cheap ones) tend to work very nicely outside of the delivery units. I'm just a student though and not an expert on scopes, just know from what I've picked up and put on my ears that this is the one i settled on as my 3rd scope and has served me well for several semesters

JacobK, ADN, EMT-I · May 28, 2011

As a student I would recommend a stethoscope with a traditional bell and diaphragm, many programs require it. All Littmanns now come with a "tunable" diaphragm that supposedly allows you to hear both high and low pitched sounds with only the diaphragm side. I personally have trouble with them, being completely unable to hear low pitched(bell) sounds, and very scratchy high pitched(diaphragm) sounds.

I personally use a very old littamann cardiology 1, that predates the tunable diaphragm, that I was lucky enough to find on craigslist. Great stethoscope but very hard to find.

As for a recommendation, if you are set on a Littmann, I would go with the Classic II SE, its significantly cheaper and you can always upgrade after school if you feel you need to, still has the tunable diaphragm but it works alright, and you also have the traditional bell. The Cardiology III sounds very similar to the classic II SE to my ears, but I am not the most experienced.

I can recommend staying away from Littmann Lightweight 2 SE, my first stethoscope, terrible sound, and the littmann select.

If you are open to other companies I hear that the Welch Allyn stethoscopes are excelent, but they tend to be a little pricier.

This one seems to be similar to the classic 2 se but lacks the tunable diaphragm. I also understand that the quality and customer service are excellent.

Of course the best thing to do is try to find a local medical supply store and try them out side by side and see which one allows you to hear the best.

the only problem with a cardio scope is they have a solid end, and really are horrificly useless for obstetrics, labor, and delivery, which is a rotation most students have to go through. So, although the cardio scope *may* be superior for med-surge, it's got a serious weakness if your program has a baby rotation.

What do you mean by solid end? Are you referring to the ability to rotate between bell and diaphragm?

If so the Cardiology III does indeed have both a bell and diaphragm, although the bell side can also be used as a pediatric diaphragm. Perhaps you are thinking of the Master Cardiology or Cardiology STC models, with their single piece head?

tnt714 · May 28, 2011

I did some research on the MC, C III, and the SE ... so far all I can come up with is that its basically personal preference. What I have been reading is that the MC is a little clearer than the III but also more expensive, and just about every one has said that the SE is perfect for school, since I will be doing rotations in med-surg, peds, and labor/delivery ... from what I can understand the SE will be the best choice since I will sort of be all over the place... I think? :uhoh3:

Thanks for all the input, its a huge help:)

amybeets05 · May 29, 2011

the comment about not being able to use the cario III in peds and labor-delivery is not correct. The cardio III has a dual head. The regular cardio has a singular head, and probably wouldn't be preferred by your nursing school. Both scopes you are considering are fine for what you need, the cardio III is actually very similar in design to the Classic, but the quality in hearing faint sounds is better in the cardio III. The price is about 60% more though. But either way, you will be fine.

P.S.- you can go here, http://www.allheart.com/littmann-video-gallery.htmland watch a video on the diff. choices Littman offers. It may help you decide.

LPNnowRN · Jun 1, 2011

I had a Classic II during nursing school. and got the Cardiology III after. Hands down, the Cardiology III is best. Get yours engraved with your name and never let it out of your sight!!

tnt714 · Jun 6, 2011

thanks guys! and I will most definitely get it engraved! I'm not going to spend all that money for someone to steal it!!

brainkandy87 · Jun 29, 2011

I had my Mom's old Classic II from the late 90's during nursing school and it worked great for school, but there was no way I could use it for work. For one of my graduation presents (almost two months now, time flies lol), she let me pick out what stethoscope I wanted. I went with the Cardiology III black edition. LOVE it. I'm one of those people that really has to listen to get a good assessment of lungs and heart. The Cardio III has been awesome for me. I pick up lung sounds way better than I ever did. Also, I work on a cardiac unit so I'm hearing all sorts of heart tones, even the subtle ones I could never hear with the Classic II. I'd definitely recommend the Cardio III for pretty much any hospital unit where you're going to be doing a ton of assessments.