stethoscope frusteration!! help!

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

Either littmann is fine, I would personally go for least inexpensive.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

For students I recommend an affordable, quality stethoscope under $50, such as the Littmann Lightweight SE or the MaxiScope (made by UltrsScope). There's always time to upgrade to a pricier stethoscope later in your career when you actually know what type of nursing you'll end up doing.

High-priced stethoscopes often 'grow legs' and 'walk away' during the student years when you are surrounded by broke schoolmates who may not have the most active consciences. Thus, when students are seeking suggestions on stethoscopes, I suggest reasonably priced ones with a solid blend of quality and durability.

Again, the high-priced stethoscope can always be purchased later in one's career.

Moenine9 · Jun 28, 2016

My main concern is the sound quality. I have a bit of hearing troubles and if I have to pay a bit more for better sound then I don't mind. Also my rationale is I'd rather buy a good one now that will last me years versus buying two. Do you have a recommendation between Littmann Classic ii se vs the classic iii?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jun 28, 2016

Compare

Both have a Performance rating of 7, so it is a tie

LaloM · Jun 28, 2016

I'm starting this fall. I went ahead and ordered one from eBay which I won for 55 with 9 shipping. Ended up saving about $1 if I ordered from Amazon. But it was a littmann classic II blacked out version. I haven't received it yet but from a different forum, it was highly recommended, basically what I was told...invest in a good one now and make it last way past nursing school.

Lisa.fnp · Jun 28, 2016

My main concern is the sound quality. I have a bit of hearing troubles and if I have to pay a bit more for better sound then I don't mind. Also my rationale is I'd rather buy a good one now that will last me years versus buying two. Do you have a recommendation between Littmann Classic ii se vs the classic iii?

If you want the best bar none get the Cardionics E-Scope II Electronic Clinical Stethoscope.

I had mine for over 5 years and hands down better then what Littmann puts out. It can be found here.

Cardionics E Scope II Electronic Clinical Stethoscope | eBay

I'm deaf in my right ear and have profound hearing loss in my left. Cardionics E-Scope II Electronic Clinical Stethoscope is better for sounds quality, sound magnification (32x) it has detachable diaphragm and bells for pediatrics and adults. It's a lot lighter and you won't give yourself a bloody lip when giving CPR to a pts in our ICU as the Littmann electronic did to one of my fellow nurse. She thought she had the greatest Stethoscope known to man. I'm laughing now but at the time during the code, not funny. Anyhow it's the best made product out their. I sent my in after 4 years when I went on a 2 week vacation because it seemed a little muffled. They checked it out and replaced it free of charge and overnight shipped it back. I could not be a FNP without this. The price came down, when I purchased mine I paid over $600.00 and now they are half that.

LJR89 · Jun 28, 2016

I have both. They work pretty much the same to my novice ears. I just like that the classic iii can be changed to a pediatric steth, but I haven't had a reason to use that option in school so far. And I don't really think I'll do peds after graduation either, but that would be the only bonus to the iii that I can tell if that is something that appeals to you.

jj224 · Jun 28, 2016

Either one would be fine. They are both fairly close in price and are rated similar.

zzbxdo · Jun 29, 2016

First world problems. Just get whatever is cheaper and will last you through school. Chances are it'll last you several of your first years of work. You won't even know the difference with noobie ears. I still use the disposable ones at work. I don't know why a fnp would ever recommend a $300+ stethoscope to a student still learning what s3/s4 sounds like.

Erythropoiesis · Jun 29, 2016

I bought the classic II se. I haven't been trained to hear anything because I haven't started yet but, I will say that I used it to listen to my cats lungs. He has asthma and was having an asthma attack. I gave him a puff of his bronchodilator and then listened to his lungs to make sure the wheezing stopped and his little body could get air again. Without any training, that $80 steth allowed me to pretty much know what I was listening for. I have a cheaper $12 one too (for emergencies) and can't hear half of what I hear on the Littmann.

Just guard it with your life. People always like a good Littmann and why not steal it from the starving student, right? I got mine engraved with my full name. Won't stop a thief but will at least give somebody a way to return it to me if the situation comes up.

Chrissygraduatenurse, LPN · Jun 29, 2016

Any Littman is good