What is the best stethoscope to buy these days? Is Littman still the gold standard? Is there a benefit to buying a cardiac steth? I need a new one and want to shop smartly.

I like Littman and have what I believe to be a Cardiac II series. I don't know what a nurse really needs. If you are in a CCU and need to do cardiac sounds, it's worth spending more, I think. Anyone else want to chime in?

I to live with a littman.. and depending on where I am determines what I carry.. however I find a littman lightweight has always served me well universally.. but don't forget to have a batclip... yes a batclip or whatever the clip of choice is that holds your stethoscope on your waist... take it off your neck its not ergononomic, it's unsafe, unhygenic (sp), and it gets lost... don't spend a ton of money on stethoscope that is going to give you a neck ache or headache cause it's to heavy,that your patient can grab and choke you with, and that will slip and fall into the pile of hepatitis stool that the patient left when he dropped his bedpan on the floor...

Since trying my CCU preceptor's cardiology stethoscope way back in 1995 I was HOOKED! Littman's master cardiology scope ROCKS! Worth the $$. Just don't lose it or have it stolen (like mine). However I did just buy an ADC electronic stethoscope for use in the aircraft (I'm a helicopter flight nurse). However, I haven't used it yet since I found a Littman that I think I like better if I can get it cheaper than $400. The ADC was $200 which is a good price for an electronic scope. Depends on where you will be practicing. Littman has always been my choice. You get what you pay for.

What is an electronic scope like? I've never used one. What's the advantage/disadvantage?

Yes Ms. Trauma Queen... pls enlighten us.. heheheheh muah!!!!!!!!!! nice to see you here... your cherry has been officially popped....you got a reply to your first post.. woooo hooooooooooo