What's the best "starter" Stethoscope

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Oct 30, 2008

There's a whole forum for stethoscopes here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f316/

RNnTrainin' · Oct 30, 2008

There's a whole forum for stethoscopes here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f316/

yeah, I was reading through that, and everyone seems to go with the Littmann's Classic II S.E. or better. Just looking for more input.

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 30, 2008

Thread moved to Nursing Stethoscope forum.

mcknis · Nov 4, 2008

Classic II, or other low end Littmann. Some like Sprague Rappaport, but not my cup of tea although i have one. The cardiology scopes are great but are heavy for any length of time around the neck. they aren't bad in a pocket though. For school I suggest an Adscope 603, Littman Classic II or Littmann Select, or Prestige Clinical I. All of equal quality with various price tags. Name means nothing, but unless your name is on it, name means everything

busog · Dec 12, 2008

id go for the cheaper one

mommyofnini · Jan 13, 2009

I got a Littman Cardiology Master for a gift last Christmas from my hubby and it got STOLEN by a doctor in clinicals 1 month before graduation.

I went to KILA.com and bought their single head stethescope which to me sounds just like the Cardiomaster I had before. The total for the scope, a nametag, and shipping was only $41.00 and it got to my via priority mail in 3 days. I am very happy with it and if it gets stolen or "lost" I won't be as upset as I was when my Cardiomaster was taken.

ernursen · Jan 16, 2009

ULTRASCOPE!!!!! It is sooo much better than a Littmann (in my opinion) and I am hard of hearing at times...lol (older age). Plus it has a LIFETIME warranty...seriously. Every couple of years, I order new tubing with earpieces for $7 to cover s/h and you can get free retaining rings and diaphragms....no questions asked. I LOVE mine.

http://www.ultrascopes.com/

ImBeautiful1 · Jan 19, 2009

Should I look for a "starter" scope, or a career one? I would assume that a starter one, would be cheaper.

mcknis · Jan 19, 2009

Should I look for a "starter" scope, or a career one? I would assume that a starter one, would be cheaper.

there is no quote starter or career stethoscope. most nurses go through their entire careers with the same stethoscope that they started with. some may state to start with this one or that one, but all in all its entirely up to you! you can decide what you want and what you dont want. i can take anystethoscope and make it work. now with the most basic of scopes i may not be able to differentiate at dialstolic from a systolic murmur, but who cares, and who would want me to with cheap equipment. all you need is a stethoscope through which you can hear someone breathing, a heart beat (the simple lub-dub), and bowel sounds. if you can hear that through a cheap $5 scop, then get that one, but if it takes a $150 scope, get that one. try some out before you buy, but there are no starter or career scopes out there. its all a matter of personal opinion.

sunshines66, BSN · Feb 24, 2009

I love my Littman master cardiolgy stethescope. Why would you want to buy one for 20-40 bucks just to spend more later. I suggest getting a good quality one and getting it engraved. You can buy a do it yourself kit or take it to a jewlrey store. I did the do it yourself route. It has proved my ownership numerous times. I would highly reccomend it

Carrie_MTC · Mar 11, 2009

My school recommended us to start with a Prestige, but I wouldn't recommend it even for a starter stethoscope. Mine only lasted 4 months before it broke, couldn't really hear good through it. You have to check everyday that things are screwed on tight or they fall off. Ear pieces were uncomfortable. It's better to spend a little bit more money and get a better quality stethoscope that will last many years.