Picking out a new stethoscope

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Specializes in High Acuity / Emergency / Trauma.

I am in the process of selecting a new stethoscope after using a no name brand for a few years. I have pretty much settled on a littmann single sided design. I am aware that they are a little harder to use but I have experience with them from EMS. I was seriously looking at getting the littmann cardiology STC from medisave.net (free engraving) due to it's nice grips and long warranty of 6 years. Is there a drawback to having a stethoscope that is "too good". Can it pick up too much detail. Not that I would know what to listen for anyways (one day I might) but would I be doing myself a disservice by getting such a good stethoscope?

Thanks,

Joe

Also, Can't take credit fo finding it but ran across it in another thread so I'll post it agian to spread the word. If you buy from medisave.net make sure you click the checkbox that you are a student (if you are) and you will get a voucher for a free accessory kit (only if you buy higher end models) and use the coupon code "backtoschool" for what I believe to be 5% off.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the stethoscope forum

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Specializes in High Acuity / Emergency / Trauma.

Heres another thought. Any students use the 3100 series electronic stethoscope? Would instructors frown on having such a fine piece of auscultating technology?

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Specializes in ICU.
Heres another thought. Any students use the 3100 series electronic stethoscope? Would instructors frown on having such a fine piece of auscultating technology?

Instructors may get a bit picky. It's for that reason that I used the non-amplified Littman scope that I had used for years as a medic while in nursing school, rather than my amplified Thinklabs ds32a. It may be better to learn with a non-amplified scope, then transition to an amplified scope on down the road. That way, even if you end up having to borrow a coworkers scope some day, you won't be at a "listening disadvantage".

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
. Is there a drawback to having a stethoscope that is "too good". Can it pick up too much detail. Not that I would know what to listen for anyways (one day I might) but would I be doing myself a disservice by getting such a good stethoscope?

I think what's more of a drawback is that high-quality stethoscopes sometimes have a habit of "walking off" at clinicals, be it accidentally or intentionally. If you get one, you should get it in an unique color and/or have it engraved.

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One of my classmates has an electronic stethoscope that was a gift from her hubby.....she hates it....the sound quality is great, but it's not so user-friendly.....none of our CI's have mentioned anything about her scope so I doubt it matters....we were just told to buy the best we can afford

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Specializes in High Acuity / Emergency / Trauma.

Picked up a Littmann Master Cardiology and I must say that it is great. Much better at picking up faint sounds that the old one I was using. The free engraving on the bell from medisave looks really nice too. Expensive but highly recommended. It was about 175 including shipping, great deal! Since I got a cardiology grade scope I even got a student voucher with it to get a free accessory kit from Littmann. the free kit is spose to be an extra set of eartips, a engravable nameplate and a heart sounds CD.

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