Stethoscope Dilemma!!!

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

Hey everybody!!!

I am starting nursing school this fall and was pondering over what type of stethoscope to get for clinicals and labs. I know some people say that it shouldn't matter, brands are just brands, but I don't feel that way. I'm going to be honest with everyone. I want a Littmann, and I am fully prepared to buy one, but I have narrowed it down to two stethoscopes recommended for new nurses/ student nurses, the Littmann Classic SE II and the Littmann Lightweight SE II. Now, of course, I hear all of the amazing reports about the master cardiology and the amazing Cardiology III, not to mention the new Electronic models. In any case, I don't feel I need a stethoscope until after I have the letters RN behind my name.

So for now I am stuck between the Classic and the Lightweight. I have heard many say the Lightweight was specifically "designed" for nursing professionals and is good for general use etc... I have also researched the two and the classics popularity among generally practicing nurses and nursing students seems to outweigh the lightweight. On the other hand I have also that the lightweight although having the anti-chill rim and anatomically compatible bell shape is not very good when it comes to hearing anything other than BP and basic heart sounds.

The Littmann website says that the lightweight is a good general stethoscope with LIMITED physical assessment abilities. I don't like that they say that their own product is "limited", maybe they could have worded that better. (Lolz!) One of my classmates swears that the lightweight is reccommended for nursing students, but I really like the features of both the lightweight and the classic, although I am leaning more towards the classic after reading the whole "llimited" thing. What is you guys, as practicing nurses, fellow nursing students, CNAs etc.... Thanks so much for your help! This is basically a Classic vs. Lightweight thing for me, but I'm open to any other suggestions.

[Airidis]

I bought a Littiman Master Classic II and loved it for school. I graduated this April and I still use my scope tons.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moving to Nursing and Stethoscopes

[Hygiene Queen]

posting error... *sigh*

[RNTOBE_1970]

Master Classic is very nice...

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Stick with the Classic II over the lightweight. The Classic II has better acoustics.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

You could also go with a Kila -- save yourself some money!

[mommywithplenty]

I bought a kila lab cardiac quality duo head and it's a really nice scope, less then 1/3 of a littmenn so if it "walks" away it's not that bad. I have a blue one but want to get a orange one for kicks:) I got mine on bay and saved money as shipping it to Canada was cheaper that way.

[nowim clean]

Bought one scope master cardiology used it in school and in pratice.

[3xmom]

I bought the Littman classic II SE in the pearlized pink and had it engraved, then once I got it I called my sister who is a critical care Rn and she said "oh I wished you would of talked to me first, the Littman Lightweight is so much better" Arghhh...............so I went ahead and ordered another one in Lightweight since she said she had like 6 stethoscopes floating between, home, work and her car. Also I ordered both from medisave.net and when I got the pink one I wasn't real thrilled with the color because in the description even though it is called pearlized pink, it is described as "bubblegum pink" it was more of a dark pink/mauve color. I called them and asked if I could possibly return it, fully expecting a no because it was engraved. They told me yes and gave me a return number and then noted what I wanted in exchange!

[mommywithplenty]

I was thinking of having a back up as well. I really would hat for something to go wrong and I can't get replacement pieces soon enough. I want a nice looking one, my Kila is nice but it's navy blue and I have seen a gold and brown littman...

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

I bought the Littman classic II SE in the pearlized pink and had it engraved, then once I got it I called my sister who is a critical care Rn and she said "oh I wished you would of talked to me first, the Littman Lightweight is so much better" Arghhh...............so I went ahead and ordered another one in Lightweight since she said she had like 6 stethoscopes floating between, home, work and her car. Also I ordered both from medisave.net and when I got the pink one I wasn't real thrilled with the color because in the description even though it is called pearlized pink, it is described as "bubblegum pink" it was more of a dark pink/mauve color. I called them and asked if I could possibly return it, fully expecting a no because it was engraved. They told me yes and gave me a return number and then noted what I wanted in exchange!

SO which one do you personally like better?