Louis.Philippe

DO NOT PURCHASE CLASSIC III ... Both diaphragm tends to detach too easily. It's a design issue. the "furrow" holding the diaphragm is too superficial and the diaphragm rim doesn't have enough grasp to stay in place. Whenever you're going to try auscultate overweight patient or weak patient that can't lean forward enough to allow good space between their back and the bed, you'll end up "sliding" the stethoscope in and once in a while, the diaphragm will come off. I have been talking with colleagues and they have the same issues. many reports on that issue can also be seen over the web if you dig enough past through the commercial filtered reviews. What happens also, is that if you're not attentive, you basically loose the diaphragm. Littmann has warranty and they do send you replacement, but the same issue keep coming back and you have to call them again and again. had the classic II for 5 years before that and never had that issue. At least, classic II is reliable, which I can't say for classic III.