Which Littmann?

If you will be working on a cardiac unit and listening for heart tones, murmurs, or be personally actively weaning Ventilator patients or have hearing problems you should consider the cardiology III. New nurses seem to be able to distinguish differences as easily with either scope from my experience with orienting. I have been using the classic II for about 17 years now and when a student has another scope I try it if they don't mind, I find a little clearer subtle sounds with the cardiology III. Not enough difference for me to pay more though, I did buy a DRG scope when my first Littman tubing cracked after about 14 years of use and loved it as it had the antimicrobial diaphrams but found the tubing too cumbersome to carry around my neck all day so I went back to the Littman and gave the DRG to my daughter who works hospice.

I work in PCU and have the cardiology III. I have recently purchased the Classic II because I find the cardiology kinda heavy to have around my neck. They both are good stethescopes.

I also own a 3M Cardiology III Littmann which I couldn't live without.

Great Piece!!

I'm so glad you asked that question. I'm a new student and I have been deliberating between those two stethoscopes myself. I'd like to order mine today. I don't plan on going into cardiac but I don't want to miss something that I will need to hear in nursing school.

I'm looking forward to hearing more opinions.

Here is another plug for the Littmann Cardiology III: I own one and love it! I work med/surg, therefore we get a wide range of patients from pediatric to geriatric. The Cardiology III can be used with bell and diaphragm OR the bell side can be converted to a pediatric diaphragm.

This works well not only for peds patients, but for thin, frail little geriatric patients as well. It has really worked out well for me.

Allheart.com has GREAT prices on their Littmanns, and if you click on the cardiology III, there will be a place to click to go to a product spec and comparison chart. Very informative.

Good luck with your decision.

I like how the bell and diaphragm are on the same side with the cardiology III. Depending on how much pressure you apply, things sound a little different, all without flipping it over and listening again.

I have a classic II and I really like it... I have caught heart murmurs, etc that the other nurses haven't and I think a lot of it has to do with the stethoscope. I have honestly been thinking about upgrading though, I really like the Cardiology one!