Which stethoscope to buy???

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I will start nursing school this fall and need help deciding on some equipment! Should I get the 3M Littmann Classic II S.E. ($80 and a 4.5 star online review) or the 3M Littmann Master Classic II ($105 and a 5 star online review). I am willing to spend the extra bucks if it really makes a difference. Any advice helps!

I graduate from nursing school two weeks from today.:yeah:I purchased the Litt Classic II SE for school and I love it. I bought mine on ebay for half the price. Several of my fellow students have the Litt Lightweight, but the Classic SE is better to me.

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I just purchased the Littman Classic II SE as well for school. Although my school issues a much cheaper brand, it is hurts my ears and I have difficulty hearing sounds through them. So I hear that Littman's have great sound quality and decided to invest in one. Can't wait for it to arrive.

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Thank you so much for all your help. I took your advice and I just ordered Cardiology III, can't wait to start using it. I spent a lot of money on the stethoscope that I have now and it is so difficult to hear the sounds clear. I am crazy, everytime I read positive reviews about something useful,I always end up buying it lol.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Thank you so much for all your help. I took your advice and I just ordered Cardiology III, can't wait to start using it. I spent a lot of money on the stethoscope that I have now and it is so difficult to hear the sounds clear. I am crazy, everytime I read positive reviews about something useful,I always end up buying it lol.

Well then stay away from the threads that talk about the Littmann electronic scopes. LOL. I think what makes the Cardiology scopes better than the standard scopes is the diameter of the tubing. The diameter of the tubing on my Cardiology III is significantly greater than the diameter of the tubing on my Master Classic II. Also the way the tubing connects to the ear pieces also probably plays a role. The Master Classic II design or any of the non cardiology scopes tubing appear to be somewhat occluded by the "spring" that connects the two ear pieces. The "spring" in the cardiology scopes also seems to be stronger allowing for a tighter fit in the ears.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Yes the double lumen on the Cardio III allows for better sound transmission. I have the one with shorter tubing for the same reason. Not sure if all the Cardio III's have that or f it was something I ordered especially ( had my stethoscope for awhile now)

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Yes the double lumen on the Cardio III allows for better sound transmission. I have the one with shorter tubing for the same reason. Not sure if all the Cardio III's have that or f it was something I ordered especially ( had my stethoscope for awhile now)

Cardiology III's and almost all Littmann scopes for that matter come in 2 different tubing lengths, 27" which is the standard length, and the shorter 22".

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Specializes in emergency, oncology.

I love my 13 dollar sprague. I use it in educational, personal, and professional life. Since I am a nursing student, EMT, and HCW I go through between 2 and 3 a year. Everyone has a different taste in scopes. One person in my class had a littman cardio 3 (a very expesnive scope) and they couldn't find an apical pulse with it. It is all the person, luckily I can go cheap and still do a great job.

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab.

wow.. that's so cool that you are able to use a sprague. i didn't want to buy a pricey steth but i couldn't hear anything with my sprague.. works fine for BP but i had an awful time hearing valve and resp. sounds. the littmann classic has been my savior. :)

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How much difference does the length matter? I'm thinking of the Littman Cardio III, but would prefer a longer stethoscope. I'm 6'0" and feel like my back won't survive having to bend over an extra 1/2 foot all the time. I know most hospital beds can be raised up, but exam tables and baby carriages cannot.

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I woould start out with the classic 2 SE

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To start off in first stethoscopes I would reccomend the classic S.E. II because for beginners and the versatility

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a shorter tube sound it better/also with a larger one too which the master classic II has

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