[redlightroxy]

X,

I have a Littmann Cardiology III. Superior performance, relatively lightweight, etc. I love it. I don't recommend any brand but Littman.

Now, I realize you've already said that it's just out of your price range - but I want you to consider a few things when looking into a stethoscope.

First, this is an investment. You (usually) only buy one and maybe replace it once or (god-forbid) twice in your lifetime. You want the one you buy to be good. An extra forty bucks may make a difference... it may prevent you from spending more later.

Second, you want to think about what you will be using it for. You are EMT/pre-nursing now. That means you want lightweight, flexibility, and a steth that is going to be useful on patients of all shapes and sizes, including pediatrics.

That being said, I think you have chosen an excellent steth in the master classic II. However, something I want you to consider is that it does not have a pediatric side. It has a tunable diaphragm that allows you to listen to high and low frequencies by altering your pressure upon the diaphragm, but it does not give you the option of a smaller diaphram for pediatrics. Does it matter? Maybe not for you in the short-term. However, long term, if you end up doing a lot of peds (which, in my experience in my ED, the majority of the patients we flight are peds patients) you may want to consider the Cardiology III with the peds and adult diaphragm.

Also, see if you can try out your EMT instructors and nurse instructors steths to get a feel for what you like and what sound quality each has.

Just my thoughts!! Please pm me with any questions. I hope this helps and gives you something to think about.