If you are looking for a high-quality stethoscope but don’t want to shell out over $100 for a Littmann, the ADC ADSCOPE 603 Stainless Steel Stethoscope is the next choice for nurses, EMTs, and nursing students.
For a stethoscope under $50, the Adscope 603 is remarkably close to the Littmann Cardiac III when it comes to looks, build quality, and acoustic quality.
Many people actually switch to the ACD Adscope 603 after owning and using a Littmann and losing it, looking for a less expensive alternative that is just as good for most purposes.
Unless you are a cardiologist or training to be one, this stethoscope has all of the features and quality you will need to listen to heart and lung sounds effectively.
Are You Looking for the Best Stethoscope for Nursing School?
If you are entering nursing school, you’ll no doubt need a trusty stethoscope. Many students don’t want to pay the high prices of the Littmann stethoscopes, especially those just starting their medical education. One student who chose the ADA Adscope 603 Stethoscope did some tests, comparing it to their classmates Littmann, and couldn’t even hear a difference in acoustic quality.
Also check: 4 Best Stethoscope for Doctors in 2021
The bottom line is that if you want a great stethoscope for nursing school without the high price tag, this is the one you should buy.
The Chestpiece
The Adscope 603 comes with a combination diaphragm & bell chestpiece to capture the higher and lower frequencies of the heart and lungs. It also comes equipped with non-chill rims on the bell and diaphragm for maximum patient comfort. The chest piece is nice and heavy, without being too heavy, which helps to form a tight seal on the skin when adding pressure. When you switch between the bell setting and the diaphragm setting, you’ll notice it has a nice “catch” to it when you switch yet the catch is as quiet as can be.
The Eartips
The eartips that come with the ADA ADSCOPE 603 are the ADSOFT eartips which are extremely comfortable and have a great seal, allowing for the best possible acoustic sound to travel through to your ear canal. Some people say the eartips are not quite as comfortable as the Littmann eartips, but comfortable enough that it’s worth the lower price point.
Also read: 7 Best Stethoscope for Medical Students
The Pros
- Slightly longer than the Littmann, making it great for those with a larger neck.
- Great acoustic sound quality for high and low frequencies.
- Inexpensive
- Easy to hear body sounds even with a lot of background noise such as in an Ambulance. Great for EMTs.
- Comes in a variety of colors. Not only is this stethoscope functional, but stylish as well.
- There’s a lifetime warranty on all of the metal parts.
- It has a combination diaphragm/bell chest piece.
- It is comparable to a Littmann but at only a fraction of the cost.
The Cons
Some say the eartips are not as comfortable as the Littmanns, but that’s okay considering the price difference. You can always get new eartips.
The chestpiece is slightly heavier than the Littmann Cardio III chestpiece.
The acoustics are a bit quieter than the Littmann’s.
As you can see, there are a lot of upsides to the ADA ADSCOPE 603 Stainless Steel Stethoscope and not very many downsides. It is comparable to the Littmann Cardio III yet comes at a fraction of the cost.
Like I mentioned above, unless you are a cardiologist or training to be one, it has everything you could want in a stethoscope. There’s a reason it’s one of the top stethoscopes for nursing students, EMTs, Parents, and nurses.