Stethoscopes.. cheap vs expensive

7 posts · started Apr 8, 2010

SmilesNoir Apr 8, 2010, 8:42 PM
Does it really matter?
I have a cheapy stethoscope. My neighbor has all kinds of stethoscope. He let me listen in Littman Cardio (cost $160). Believe it or not. Yes I could hear better this leads me to believe that I need to go have my ears checked and irrigated again.


What say you?

What type of scope do you use in everyday life?
hppygr8ful Apr 9, 2010, 3:48 PM
I have had several cheap one's over the years - Some of the hospital supplied ones look like they came from toys are us. I currently use a more expensiove Littman that I've had for a couple of years - If you keep them out of the sun the tubing lasts forever so it won't need to be replaced. It's a good investment if you can afford it.

Hppy
AprilRN May 11, 2010, 11:32 PM
Check e-bay. I bought my Littman cardiac steth on E-bay for $59 shipped 3 years ago. I love being able to actually hear and not second guess what I'm assessing.

Our isolation rooms have a steth from the hospital that stays in the room. I hate listening through them. I'm always worried I'll miss something.
cali510 May 15, 2010, 5:29 PM
Just beware that Littman stethoscopes only stay around long enough that someone doesn't see an opportunity to steal it. I've had one disappear on me. Some people have lost more than one.
badphish Aug 26, 2010, 7:25 PM
I have a Littmann Cardio 3 that I love its my second one the other one got destroyed due to poor upkeep, I keep this one in its own lil bag. and it has my name engraved on it. Though I'm lusting after the thinklab electronic steth, because im half deaf from sirens and artillery shells