marsle85 Posted August 11, 2014 What stethoscope did your programs require you purchasing? Does it matter if you get a different one? In which case, what do you consider the best? I'm looking at 3m Littmann Classic II S.E.-- but looking at the 3m Littman Lightweight Classic II S.E. Any difference?
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 11, 2014 Moderator I like the classic 2 se. I have 3 of them, one in each lab coat. the lt wt seems, well TOO light weight, you don't feel it in your lab coat pocket so easy to leave it somewhere and not know it's gone. whatever you get , spend a few extra bucks and get the integral name tag option.
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 11, 2014 Moderator I have a cardiology 2 SE that I got in school 21 years ago. I never use it except on medical missions because it is too heavy and I would prefer to lose it than one of my classic 2 SEs, which are 1/3rd the price but almost as good.
cinntsp Posted August 11, 2014 The cardiology III is on sale for $129 right now at Amazon, which is a great value. http://slickdeals.net/f/7118458-3m-littmann-cardiology-iii-stethoscope-various-models-129-free-shipping?#comments
Joelseff Posted August 11, 2014 I had a Welch Allen Harvey elite that was a gift from my mentor. Used it throughout school and first few years of practice until my hearing loss and now I use a Littman 3100 electronic. I still prefer the sound quality of my old Welch Allen (what I can remember) compared to the 3100 but I can hardly hear with the Harvey so it's the 3100 for me.
matchb0x Posted August 11, 2014 I have a cardiology 2 SE that I got in school 21 years ago. I never use it except on medical missions because it is too heavy and I would prefer to lose it than one of my classic 2 SEs, which are 1/3rd the price but almost as good. I have the littman cardio II with the black on black finish. Love it, and yeh it is heavier then the usual stethoscope but I'm a 6'2" 260lb male nurse so i gotta overcompensate.....
marsle85 Posted August 11, 2014 Author Thank you for your prompt responses! There are no biases towards colored stethoscopes, right? As long as it's tasteful and doesn't have ladybugs and rhinestones all over it? Wutthechris- I LOVE slickdeals! TY!
Moderator True Anomaly Posted August 11, 2014 Moderator Thank you for your prompt responses! There are no biases towards colored stethoscopes, right? As long as it's tasteful and doesn't have ladybugs and rhinestones all over it? Wutthechris- I LOVE slickdeals! TY! I'd say so long as you can hear what you need to hear, there's no bias. Functionality over form
patachok Posted August 12, 2014 Thank you for your prompt responses! There are no biases towards colored stethoscopes, right? As long as it's tasteful and doesn't have ladybugs and rhinestones all over it? Wutthechris- I LOVE slickdeals! TY! I have bright pink, and I love it!It would be even better if it had sparkle. :) I treat it as my jewelry-accessory!
whoRyou Posted August 12, 2014 I have bright pink, and I love it! It would be even better if it had sparkle. :) I treat it as my jewelry-accessory! Kinda like this?
PACdan Posted August 12, 2014 mine are all dark green. Got my Littmann Cardiology III in hunter green for Christmas. It's ma' baby. The Littmann is very nice, but I got great sound out of my ADC Sprague stethoscope too.
Dunedain Posted August 14, 2014 I use the Cardiology III but also have the light weight. Sound difference is pretty remarkable between the two. Mine are dark green or black
UpRegulated Posted August 15, 2014 I have the master cardiology and like it a lot. This. Noticeably better sound quality over my classic, and the classic is a good stethoscope. It is heavy, but I've gotten used to it. Now when I pick up my classic, it feels cheap and insubstantial. :)
winterallsummer Posted August 16, 2014 What is between the earpieces of the stethoscope is a lot more important than the stethoscope itself. That being said I have the Littmann III.
Guest MedLib42 Posted August 16, 2014 My school recommended we splurge on a good cardio scope like the Littman III, saying having a better quality scope would make it easier for our uneducated ears to pick up subtle sounds, and I have to say I agree. I would up buying the Littman Cardio III, which I love. My second choice was the ADC Cardiology - sound is comparable, and they offer a lightweight version.
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted August 17, 2014 My philosophy is that if you have to have a super duper scope that weighs 100 lbs. to hear something, can it REALLY be that clinically significant at that moment if the pt. doesn't have correlating symptoms? I'd rather replace a $60-70 scope that grew legs than a $200+ one.
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 17, 2014 Moderator my philosophy on scopes is that you really only need a high end one if you work in cardiology. anyone else uses them for lung sounds, bruits, and if they hear a murmur and it's relevant they refer and/or get an echo.
fakingpatience Posted October 6, 2014 Is a dual sided head necessary, or is the single sided head fine as a PA/student? I need to replace my old master classic stethoscope that got carted away by the ambulance gremlins
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted October 6, 2014 Newer Littmann scopes allow for simulation of the bell with extra applied pressure while having only a diaphragm. You need a bell effect for diastolic regurg murmurs (if you really care to hear them). It has been my observation that you have to expect to hear one to actually do so, and that was tenets plus years ago when I was young and could hear better. Some might argue that you need a bell for carotid bruits but the experts can't unequivocally decide if a bell or diaphragm is best. I use a classic, but for the most part it doesn't matter since most I would bet couldn't tell you off the top of their heads what differentiates a 1-6 murmur.
lov2xlr8 Posted October 6, 2014 Used the Classic II SE in PA school, did the job just fine and now still use it at my per-diem... +1 for the Cardiology III at my FT though
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