Littmann alternatives

Skynet · Sep 13, 2008

After reading this review, I'm a bit weary of the DRG stethoscopes.

I wanted to pick up a GRx scope, but they don't ship to Canada!

So now I'm thinking of getting a Kila one (great customer support too, replied to my e-mail in 22 minutes on a Saturday). But they now have 3 models and I'm not sure which would would be the most suitable!

mcknis · Sep 17, 2008

ADC and Prestige are good brands...

GlennCoco · Sep 23, 2008

Well, I'm sorry GRx doesn't ship to Canada, because they make darn good scopes for not very much money.

I'm in my 2nd semester of school right now. We're doing our med-surg rotation right now. Anyways, there are about 40 people in my class. Four of my classmates have ordered the GRx based on my recommendation as well as testing mine out. Several more have tried it and said they would have ordered it if I would have found it before they spent (more) money on other scopes.

Maybe you have a friend who can order one for you and ship it to you? Heck, if you paid for the scope plus shipping, I'd ship it to you.

crb613, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2008

I have a littmann, & a cheapie ($30), sprague I think.......guess which one I use....the cheapie. I can hear soooo much better with it. My point it does not have to be a name brand or expensive.....try out a few, & then make your choice. :)

KylesScreenName · Oct 2, 2008

I love my Kila Labs one-sided cardiology. I can promise you its worth the buy for all of the basic neeeds.

Hoping4RNin2010 · Oct 7, 2008

I love my Grx. I tried it side by side with a classmates Littman and I actually liked mine better. Great bargain in my opinion!

CRNATOB · Oct 15, 2008

I love my Grx. I tried it side by side with a classmates Littman and I actually liked mine better. Great bargain in my opinion!

MDF is a great manufacturer. Excellent quality.

j_tay1981 · Feb 28, 2010

I second the Kila Labs single-head cardiology. I can do BP's and auscultations with it very well. It's heavier, but the simplicity of the single head is great, plus the sounds are nice and clear as well. Also, it's comfortable to wear - the ear tips are like two pillows in your ears; they block out extra noise pretty well too. Some stethoscopes, for me, don not work really well - the Littmann Lightweight picks up the cracking of the joints in my finger REALLY well :)

The Kila single head is a solid chunk of stainless steel - I can't hear my fingers at all through it. I got mine on eBay for just under $50.

I also think that MDF makes quality scopes too, FWIW. I have their deluxe Sprague and it is really a solid instrument as well...

Hope this helps!

j_tay1981 · Mar 24, 2010

I should also include that the ADC models are pretty good too. They are built overseas, but put together in NY. I've had great luck with them.

I have a DRG traditional PureTone and it's OK. A lot of people rave about them, but I think that it's rather quiet. I hear better with a $20 Prestige Sprague than with the DRG (kinda wish I hadn't bought it off eBay).

But Kila has been good to me. The single-head cardio is comfy to wear, well made, and customer service has been second to none. They shipped the scope to me missing a small set of ear tips, and after one email I had them one week later! And the acoustics are quite good for my novice ears.

So I guess if you went with any of the following you'd be set IMHO:

ADC

Kila

MDF

Prestige

They are all quality instruments.

Let us know what you decide on!

neuroms · Dec 9, 2010

I've tried out the mid-range scopes for most of these brands, and I personally like the MDF scopes best overall. They have a really solid build quality (stainless steal even in their midrange scopes) and the sound volume is comparable to the Littman's. It also has a fixed diaphragm which I preferred over fooling around with the whole tunable diaphragm concept. I think the bell side sounds (Korotkoff's) are crisper with the MDF than any other scope I've tried. They make a full range from what, I hear, is a quality Rappaport to more-than-I-need diagnostic scopes. AllHeart usually has decent prices on the MDFs.

Pepperpants · Mar 7, 2011

Do you guys have any experience with the MDF 747XP model? Same as the 777 but I guess it is aluminium therefore it is cheaper?

Does the material really mattters that much regarding sound transmittion? It looks exactly the same as the 777 md one model, but cheaper.. Even though the article says they are very identical quality-wise..

Or should I just drop the idea of getting the MDF 747XP or 777 and go for the ADC603???

Got no idea which one to go for...

Any suggestions?