The Ultimate Acoustic Stethoscope Review

jm123 · Apr 11, 2009

Thanks, I just ordered the omron sprague kit in black from Amazon based on this review. It was $35 dollars for the complete diagnostic kit including adult BP cuff, pen light, scissors, scope and a few extras. They are also running an extra $10 off when you spend over $49 on omron.

http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Sprague-Rappaport-Sphymomanometer-Burgundy/dp/B000FEPQ7I/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1239487649&sr=1-19

By the way I am waiting to get into school, and should start this coming January. I have never used any diagnostic kit, and just wanted to have one for practice while I wait. I also want a backup/baseline comparison to see if the $400 I plan on spending is worth it. So no endorsement, but I will post my opinion after getting it. and learn what I am doing with it.

HyperSaurus, RN, BSN · Jun 10, 2009

This was quite helpful, thank you for posting this.

allnurses Guide · Jun 14, 2009

What a great link - thanks! It is hard that there are so few objective reviews out there.

I do wish they reviewed the DRG cardiology model to compare with the Littman cardiology models, rather than the DRG basic model.

j_tay1981 · Sep 25, 2009

So has anyone here used the Omron Sprague Rappaport referenced in this article?

I bought a dark blue one off of Amazon as a 'beater' stethoscope to use in clinicals as a nursing student (I own a Littman Classic SE II that I want to have my name engraved on, but until then I wanted something I wouldn't feel too broken up about losing). I chose this one based on the results of this article, and it just arrived today. I haven't had a chance to play with it much. Does anyone have any experiences, good or bad, with this steth in the field?

My intial impression is that its obviously of cheaper quality than the Littmann (but hey it only cost $24.00 w/ shipping, so that's to be expected, right?)

HyperSaurus, RN, BSN · Sep 25, 2009

It hurts the ears...and not very clear

LTC Lady · Jan 8, 2010

First off I love this article and have been using it with students/new grads when they are looking at investing in a scope.

The Omron rappaport is not a good choice for longivity. I had a friend use one during school and had it break during clinical infront of a pt, doc and nurse... not good. The acoustics arent too bad but not great. A stethoscope is meant to be used, I had a classic II in school and i was worried to take it at first but then an EMT friend of mine said "no take it, wear it, use it, the marks and dings in the metal are battle scars, you want them to show you use it." Why buy a cheap scope that you can't hear well out of just to have a great scope sit unused at home???

j_tay1981 · Feb 14, 2010

I ended up sending the Omron Sprague back. It literally was too painful in my ears to use for more than a few seconds regardless of the ear plugs. That, and the tubing was so stiff, it was literally kinked in a 'J' shape! I ended up getting a Prestige Medical Sprague Rappoprt and while usable, it is definitely quieter than my Littmann. Many of the nurses on the med-surg floor I am doing my rotations on have them, as does my health assessment partner. I want to be able to try it out in a hospital setting before I pass judgment, but many of my peers have been able to get to this point with the Prestige. The Prestige has softer tubing and it's quieter than the Omron (in terms of artifacts). It also seems to be built better with more comfortable earplugs.

BTW: I WILL wholeheartedly recommend the Prestige Clinical I steth, however. It's like a knock-off of the Littman Classic II S.E. w/o the tunable diaphragm. I hear really well out of it and its pretty comfortable too. I have it in Stealth.

I just have a soft-spot in my heart for the Sprague-Rappoport style' They are just so distinctive looking and 'old school'. I'll see how it works out, but at $20 locally, I won't feel too bad if it doesn't work well or runs off.

Cheers!

John