Stethoscopes

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Hey Girls and Guys,

I'm fairly new to nursing and I'm getting ready to buy a new stethoscope. I'm willing to spend $100. I know Littman is good, but are there any other types that anyone would suggest?

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Hey Girls and Guys,

I'm fairly new to nursing and I'm getting ready to buy a new stethoscope. I'm willing to spend $100. I know Littman is good, but are there any other types that anyone would suggest?

I have the littman lightweight and it's ok, but if you want to have better acoustics I recommend something higher on the scale. I just ordered the classic se II. I got the limited edition breast cancer one (light pink) so some of the proceeds go to the cause. Knock out 2 birds with one stone as they say. Some of my classmates have this one and I can tell a difference in the acoustics compared to the other. I hear the master cardiology is a great one, but I won't spend that much on a steth while I'm in school. I don't really know of other brands as I haven't tried them, but I have heard that Littman is the best....single tubing etc...

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.

I have a Littman Master classic II. I can hear a whisper through cinderblock walls with it. $98.00

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Specializes in jack of all trades.
I have a Littman Master classic II. I can hear a whisper through cinderblock walls with it. $98.00

If not in a huge hurry to get one you can get them on Ebay for around $60-70.00. I just got one for 55.00 there. Also do a google as I seen one the other day on one site for as low as 71.00.

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I have a masters of cardiology Lithman and i love it. A bit pricey but it has adult and infant built into it, so two in one, plus the web site i got it from ingraved my name on it for me so it would be harder or less appealing to steal.

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Specializes in ICU's,TELE,MED- SURG.

Go to the uniform store and look for yourself which ones they have. Usually they will let you listen with each of them. Buy the ear pieces ahead.

It's not the price, it's the quality that counts.

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

I have the Littmann Master Cardiology & I love it! It was pricey, but I saw it as an investment in my career...it's an awesome stethoscope & if I take care of it, it will last for many years to come. I agree with the OP, it's the quality that counts.

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what are the price ranges for these?

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Specializes in Med Surg.

It cost more than $100 but I have a Littman amplified steth. It takes one AAA battery and I carry it in my cargo pocket because of its weight but it adds about 40 decibles to sounds. I comes in real handy on severely diminished lung sounds, and manual BPs or heart sounds on obese patients. You really ought to hear a murmur through it.

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try http://www.steeles.com/catalog/3MclassicII_special.html

3M Littmann Classic II S.E. Special BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Edition Pink Model 2815 $64.99

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

Here are the stethoscopes I like and recommend:

1) Littmann Classic II S.E. (Excellent fit and finish, great acoustics, plus it has a bell which you may need for school)

2) Littmann Master Classic II (one-sided chest piece, great build quality and acoustics)

3) ADC 603 (Like the Litty Classic II S.E., but cheaper. Feels good, works very well, sturdy)

4) MDF One, Model 777 (another standard scope like Littmann, but less costly, free parts for life, comfortable)

5) MDF Pulse Time Model 740 (I may get crap for this but here's my reasoning): MDF makes pretty good stuff, has a parts for life program, and this scope has a built-in, silent LCD clock with a second hand that makes taking pulses and respiration rates pretty convenient. It's light weight, and has pretty decent acoustics, though not like the others listed. It also came with additional ear tips and a spare diaphragm. I like it for basic assessments, and you don't have to worry about forgetting your watch! At first I thought it was gimmicky, but in practice it's very handy to use, FWIW. No bell though, if that's an issue for your school.

6) Welch Allyn Tycos Professional (sturdy, quality scope with a good warranty).

Things to look for:

1) Materials chest piece are made from. Stainless steel has the best sound transmission. Aluminum and zinc are pretty good, but their main advantage is light weight.

2) Tubing. I don't mind a double tube like the Sprague Rappaport, but I see the value in having as little noise artifacts as possible when learning to auscultate. With practice a Sprague can be a fine scope to use. But a single tube with a 'y' yoke may be best.

3) How do the ear tips fit YOUR ears? This is where one should try before they buy. I know people who love their Littmann and how it fits their ears (me for example), while others can't stand them. The tips need to seal out extraneous noise, and to do so, they need to seal your ear canals. Any good uniform shop will let you try out various scopes. DO IT! Stethoscopes are very personal things. Buy one (or two), put a name tag on it or otherwise mark it as your own, and then always keep it in site!

Let us all know how you make out!

Cheers!

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