Which stethoscope to buy?

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

BengalcatRVN — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:22:42 GMT

lol, littmanns fan too! My old boss got me one when I left, engraved with my name, and its qualified green! Evreyone loves it, and I usually find it in the vets room. I don't mind them borrowing it, if it means they can hear the animals heart better. As with everything, you get what you pay for, sometimes you need to spend a lil more to get something better.

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Laura James — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 22:58:39 GMT

Personally I'm a Littmanns fan, but i know a few of the nurses in work prefer the Ultrascopes. I definately believe that you get what you pay for! If you can, listen to a few different types of stethoscope and see what you prefer.

As to thinking you won't be using it very often - once you get start monitoring anaesthetics with it you'll become more dependent on it as you can hear a heartbeat on bigger patients where you can't feel a heartbeat, and its never good to rely on your electrical equipment!! I always remember my lecturer saying that a pulse ox can give a normal output on a recently deceased patient!

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Tinky — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:47:02 GMT

http://www.3mselect.co.uk/p-1593-3m-littmann-select-stethoscope-71-cm-28-inch.aspx

£39.60 they are now, and free p&p

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Tinky — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:45:43 GMT

I got my Littman one from the 3m website last year - think it was about £35. And it's lilac, so everyone at work knows it's mine, and I can easily spot when someone has pinched it!

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 21:15:40 GMT

Yep - I'm a Littman fan. You never go back......

medisave is probably the cheapest - and also does free engraving.

http://www.medisave.co.uk/3m-littmann-stethoscopes-classicii-paediatric-stethoscope-c-121_129.html

See if you can get the practice to purchase it for you - they can claim the VAT back so you could get it cheaper.

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Honeybadger — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:33:48 GMT

Agree with all the Littmans comments. I've had my Littmans Classic for 5 years now and plan to use it for many more. They may be expensive initially but definately worth the investment.

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Steph Worsley — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:30:53 GMT

I have a littmanns cardio dual head (one side normal one side paed- change which side you use with just a twist) I love it, yes it was pricey but compared to the others I have had in the past it is the best by far and i will have it for many many years to come

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Vicky RVN — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 17:11:40 GMT

I've got a littmans classic II (purple one ) had it about 5 years now and It's still like new when I clean it. Got it from medisave and had it engraved for free so it doesn't go walkabouts. You def get what you pay for with stethoscopes, I hate cheap ones.

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Fuzzyduck — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:42:26 GMT

I have a pink ultascope as well and love it. Prefer them to littmanns personally they are less harsh on your ears

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Sarah Southworth RVN CertVNECC — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 15:01:37 GMT

hi ya,

i have a pink one, from ultrascope (audire Uk site i think). is a good one too. It also is usefull for oseophageal stethoscope as the head comes off. They come in many colours and different styles. I got pink as other nurses at work have there own, and they are 'borrowed' so when they want it, its not there. So it stops the male vets walking off with it. . Cant remember how much it was, but if your student then you get a discount. hope this helps

good luck

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Lisa White — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:01:31 GMT

Hi there, I'm in the same boat, first year of college, and scrounged the funds to get a Littmann classic SE II. It set me back €80.00 including delivery and engraving from Medisave but I've been told by one lecturere that she's had hers for the last 15 years.... I'm hoping this is the only one that I ever have to buy, so paying that little extra will be worth it. I've noticed a huge difference in the sound quality between this one and the bog standard ones at our practice. The double sided chest piece has a bell for higher pitches as well as the normal diaphragm.

Hope that helps!

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Siobhan Steven — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 11:41:56 GMT

Litmanns, no question (: I have a cute dog tag on mine with my name on it so I won't lose it, and you have a choice of colours... Oh and mine is a paedeatric one.

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 11:08:36 GMT

I know they are more expensive but if your finances can stretch to it then go for a Littmans..... I try not to use anything else... once you get used to them others just don't sound right. I recently got my own (about time!) and had my name engraved on it. Think of it as an investment... if you stay in nursing it will always be there. If you don't then you can sell it on and get some of your money back.

Re: Which stethoscope to buy?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 10:54:16 GMT

Tag just a thing to put your name on a bit of tape does the job. I have a litmanns cardio master but my hearing isnt great so l find is best for my use and it is used a lot.

Litmanns are good but have a look at medisave website lot there at all prices. Think other than litmanns it is much of a much to be honest if you try some out from friends and see how they feel.