Thread: Best stethoscope

Im trying to figure out what Littman stethoscope i want to get? is there a certain type of stethoscope we need for med school. Any suggestions??

Littmann Master Classic II is what I use. Ultimately boils down to personal preference and price. Allheart.com has pretty good prices on stethoscopes, scrubs, and other equipment you'll eventually need.

+1 for allheart.com. Great site for med equipment. And also pretty much any littmann you buy will be great. I have a card III which has lasted almost 10 years and still looks and works great. If you have hearing problems, go for a digital one (esp if you have high-freq hearing loss) otherwise a 'regular' one is what you'll need. However, if you're just starting med1, I would buy a 'cheap' one for antigua. Wait till you get back to the states to buy a good one. That way if it gets lost (not to mention the salt in the air down there degrading the tubing) you really are only out about 10-20 bucks. You really don't learn much using your stethoscope during basic science, so it isn't really required for you to have the "best". (And your time down there is MUCH better spent learning for step 1 than trying to differentiate an s3 vs s4 with your stethoscope) When you enter 5th and actually start using them on real patients everyday, then you need a littmann. Just my opinion though.

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Agree with above.

I got a cheap stetho from Chinatown NYC for $20 and it served me in Dominica just fine. (search Rappaport Stethoscope on ebay) I've even seen residents using the same one during my rotation. However, it wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in a nice Littmann after Step.
I got myself a Master Cardio since I don't plan on buying another one for the rest of my life.

when you get to clinicals and when it comes to residency the littman cardiology III is the one to have, while it is a little heavy it is the best' makes listening to murmurs much easier. now as far as the stethoscope i had on the island i just had the littman classic II, and it was a good stethoscope as well.

thank you all!!

littman cardio III is the best

hi, I´ve had the cardiology III stethoscope for more that 7 years ans it is wonderful! i would definitely recommend it!

Ebay usually has the best prices. I bought a cardio III as gifts for a relative, and the cost was nearly 30% than Allheart and all others.

A couple of my friends who are attending recommend either Lit. Master Classic II or Cardio III. Some people advice you to buy a cheap one for now! But how are you going to learn if you use a cheap Steth.? Beside, just like anything else, by the time you need to upgrade, the price will probably be higher.

You might as well get a great stethoscope that will last you a long time. I purchased the Littmann Master Cardiology.