Stethoscope - best for the buck

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Specializes in None.

Hi again. I'm starting a second thread just for one more question I figured you folks would be best at helping me with.

I've been using the same sthethoscope for some time now. I belive it's a Mabis Sprague-Rappaport-Type adult scope. I've only been using it to take my blood pressure manually every day or two to stay on top of it. I don't trust the digital BP machines. My stethoscope wasn't exactly the best scope out there. It cost me all of maybe $16. My father says he was given one like it for free, but after using it on patients, it fell apart quickly. I haven't had that happen, but I figured maybe it would be a good idea to at least know what I will replace it with when and if it does break.

My father uses Tyco brand scopes. Those seem out of my budget. Other doctors I've noticed use Littman scopes. They make a few scopes in my budget.

I'm just looking for good acoustics, durability, and knowing that I'll be able to buy parts for it over the years, like new diaphragms, etc.

I've recently been taught how to use the bells to listen for specific things, and how to use the diaphragm to listen to my bowels and hear what's going on with one of my problems/disorder.

The Mabis scope has been good to me. If an when it goes though, I'd be happy to step up a notch in quality.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

note: for the most part, if I bought a new scope when the Mabis scope breaks, it too would be primarily used for taking my blood pressure manually.

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http://www.allheart.com/2200-16.html?__utma=1.2059120729.1270816669.1270816669.1270816669.1&__utmb=1.1.10.1270816669&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1270816669.1.1.utmgclid%3dCP_eiu_Q-aACFcnV5wodQD35wA|utmccn%3d(not+set)|utmcmd%3d(not+set)|utmctr%3dlittmann+stethoscopes&__utmv=-&__utmk=7113138

If this doesn't show up I bought the Littmann Classic II S.E. Stethoscope - It's definitely the most popular where I am, and is durable as heck. It's nice because you can replace just about anything on it. I think I got mine for like $76+tax at my college, so I would try to go to where you went and see if they give discounts (even though you're not a student anymore).

Before I got this stethoscope, I thought that I was losing my hearing b/c I couldn't hear anything throughout clinicals unless it was something that you could hear audibly with your plain ears. When I got this one, I was AMAZED at how much I could hear. I eventually will probably get one with audio assist b/c some versions have the ability to filter out noises (if you're hearing heart tones it filters out pulmonary. If you're listening to your patient and the TV is on or the families are at the bedside talking, it filters background noise out as well). I will probably wait until I have a bit of expendable cash, but it will be nice in the long run :)

Anything further is not needed IMHO ... if you want to specialize, a cardiology stethoscope will help for some, but otherwise is definitely not needed.

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I had my sprague (dual tubing) for over 20 years and only just replaced it with another because I somehow lost the peds bell. Ordered my new one from amazon, even with shipping it was much less than at a local uniform shop.

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Get a littman, it's the best! I have cardio III and s.e. Classic II. I highly recommend because of their quality and warranty. You can get a nice pair of classics at medisave.net. They have free engraving and really fast shipping. If you live on the eastcoast you'll get it by day or two. Don't pay for extra shipping if you live near CT.

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Get a littman, it's the best! I have cardio III and s.e. Classic II. I highly recommend because of their quality and warranty. You can get a nice pair of classics at medisave.net. They have free engraving and really fast shipping. If you live on the eastcoast you'll get it by day or two. Don't pay for extra shipping if you live near CT.

Agreed! I too have the Littman Cardio III.

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My Littman has been sitting unused in the bottom of my bag lately.

More of those "disposables" are around due to the number of patients on contact isolation that I got into the habit of leaving my Littman behind.

Don't spend too much money if you work around a lot of patients on isolation.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I've used Littmann, and was impressed until I found the Ultrascope. It works beautifully, and is about the same or less (depending on where you buy them) as a Littman. Their warranty covers more for repairs and is longer than a Littman warranty.

I love color and individuality, and Ultrascope has both! I know which stethoscope is mine instantly just by looking at it. (No one else has a pink nurse stick figure on it!)

here are a list of places to buy them, (or you can buy them straight from the manufacturere at http://www.ultrascopes.com)

http://ultrascopes.com/new/buy/find-a-vendor/

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Specializes in None.

Thanks all. That's plenty of information. I wrote down the suggestions on a notecard and stuck in in the front zipper pocket of the cheapie case that I'm using to keep to the scope in. If it breaks on me, I'll look more closely at the above mentioned scopes. Obviously, my needs are nowhere near yours. I am the only person it would be used on, and its use would be limited to fairly basic routine tasks to keep on top of my heath.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Ultra scope person here as well. I ditched my Littman for this and have been very happy with it. I don't ever have it mistaken for somebody elses either, as it's 'custom made'. ;)

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Specializes in None.

Just looked at the Ultrascope online out of curiosity. The pressure modulated frequency control doesn't make sense to me. How is that possible? Does it actually work? Does it basically eliminate the need for bells or different size diaphragms? I should let my father know about this. Maybe he'd be interested in getting one. His current scope dates back to his residency (he's retiring in 4 years to put it in perspective).

As for the Littman Cardio III - for somebody in my position (not a nurse or a doctor and only using it on myself), is the extra money worth it? It's not terribly more expensive and is certainly affordable. Is there anything the Classic II SE does better than the Cardiology III?

I'm leaning towards in the future going with a Littman if my cheapie Mabis goes solely because I live a mere couple of miles from 3M's HQ and imagine that might make getting replacement parts over the years easier.

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Just looked at the Ultrascope online out of curiosity. The pressure modulated frequency control doesn't make sense to me. How is that possible? Does it actually work? Does it basically eliminate the need for bells or different size diaphragms? I should let my father know about this. Maybe he'd be interested in getting one. His current scope dates back to his residency (he's retiring in 4 years to put it in perspective).

As for the Littman Cardio III - for somebody in my position (not a nurse or a doctor and only using it on myself), is the extra money worth it? It's not terribly more expensive and is certainly affordable. Is there anything the Classic II SE does better than the Cardiology III?

I'm leaning towards in the future going with a Littman if my cheapie Mabis goes solely because I live a mere couple of miles from 3M's HQ and imagine that might make getting replacement parts over the years easier.

If you are just going to use it for yourself only and you are not a nurse just get a cheap one. I thought you are a nurse so, I recommended Littmans.

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Specializes in CICU.

Personally, the only reason I prefer my Littman over my cheapie sprague is the Littman is lighter and more compact. I can wrap it up and stick it in my pocket. Plus, it was given to me as a gift. Otherwise, I'd probably stick with my $9 one.

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