Stethoscope opinions

Biffbradford · Sep 11, 2014

There just was a thread on stethescopes and who likes what.

ArmaniX, MSN, APRN · Sep 11, 2014

I had a standard littman and as a 'one year gift' to myself I purchased the master cardiology... I must say the sound is a lot clearer and crisp. I much prefer it over my basic $60 littman I purchased for nursing school. But I can't compare it any against the III.

iluvgusgus · Sep 12, 2014

A lot of the nurses on my unit just use the cheap isolation stethoscopes... I heard a long time ago, unless you're a cardiologist, you dont need a cardiology stethoscope. I dont think we all know heart sounds and how to interpret them anyways and even cardiologist's ears differ on what noises they actually hear based on experience/trained ears.

Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2014

I have some no name $30 stethescope that has served me well for a few years.

I can hear manual Blod pressures.

I can hear breath sounds.

I can hear heart sounds.

Works for me. Plus nobody wants to steal it.

ArmaniX, MSN, APRN · Sep 13, 2014

I agree with the above posters.. while I do love my stethoscope, it is not necessary. My floor we hold a lot of isolation patients so it doesn't matter how well I can hear with MY stethoscope, I have to use the cheap isolation ones. So if you want what works, go cheap.. if you want something 'flashy'... get a cardiology.

aanwyn, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

I had a Littman Lightweight which I thought was pretty good until it broke borrowed a coworkers Cardiology III. It is significantly better than the Lightweight and the Classic. Lung sounds that are diminished w/ a Classic are totally clear w/ a Cardiology. I'd say if you plan on advancing to a higher level of practice then just purchase a Cardiology. It is worth the extra money and you can find them on Ebay for a good deal. I work in hemodialysis where ausculation of lungs sounds is absolutely imperative and the cardiology is better in my opinion.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

I bought a master cardiology in nursing school many years ago and it still works flawlessly. I only have had to replace tubing once, even that was more than an entry level Littman. The only downfall is it is quite heavy so if you like to wear your 'scope around your neck it will take some getting used to.

delphine22 · Sep 21, 2014

I got a Cardiology III on sale at Medisave online, and they laser engraved the bell with my full name, much nicer than the initials on the rubber tubing. And it's amazing. (But like others said, heavy. If you're used to the light one you might have to get used to it. But mine doesn't live on my neck all the time.)

jaskdfjlaskjdfl · Sep 21, 2014

Love my master cardiology!

BBOTTINI · Oct 14, 2014

I use a Littmann Classic II S.E., best price/value in my opinion (especially if you're a nurse). I got it at mystethoscope.com, they had the best price I could find (included free engraving which was a plus!)

Sessa RN · Oct 19, 2014

I took home the Cardiology III, and I returned it the next day for the Master Cardiology. It's going to take a minute to get use to the different shape (no bell), but I can hear murmurs I could find otherwise.