Lightweight vs regular Littman?

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I'm buying a stethoscope for school.

Im looking at the Littman Classic II or the Littman Lightweight II. Does anyone have an opinion about either of these?

I have some hearing loss in one ear so I want to make the right decision.

Also, if money were no object what would your splurge stethoscope be?

Thank you!!! :D

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Specializes in NICU.

I use Littmann Cardiology III

Littmann Stethoscope Comparison | allheart.com

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Classic II works well.

Splurge would be littmann cardiology III or the littmann electronic steths.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

Don't get the lightweight. You might as well by a cheapo $12 Sprague. The classic is good. Lasted me through nursing school. I've noticed more and more nurses buying the cardiology. If you can afford one that expensive, it's amazing!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Classic II SE. Excellent choice. I used one for years. The lightweight is OK, but you'll probably do better with the Classic II SE as it'll be able to "follow" you to most patient units you'll ever find yourself in. Cardiology III is a very good stethoscope, but it may be overkill, for the cost, at this point.

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As an EMT, I currently use the classic II. A bunch of my colleagues have the lightweight and I don't like it. The classic is a good value, and a solid instrument imo.

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I had the Lightweight to start out with in Nursing school because that's what they recommended. Wish I would have done my research and got a classic II to start out with. I now currently have a classic II and a cardiology III on the way and can't wait.

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Cardiology III...especially if you have some tone loss on one ear. Monogram it, and keep it around you neck at all times, or better yet, put a retractable lanyard on it. Nice scopes walk all the time.

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I like my classic pretty well. You can flip the sound piece to a bell side, if you need to...don't think the light weight has thar feature.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

The Littmann Lightweight does have a bell side to it, but it's oddly shaped, like the diaphragm side. I've never tried the Lightweight stethoscope, so I can't comment on how good it is compared to other stethoscopes I've used. A few of my former classmates used it and they did just fine with it, so it's not horrible.

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