Wanted: A Cardio III stethoscope

My inability to hear diastolic murmurs through my trusty Classic Littmann 2 has never been so painfully obvious as in the last 2 months, since I started practicing for PACES. This has never bothered me before as diastolic murmurs are expected to be difficult to hear in most patients anyway. And, if one was suspected, echos are easy enough to order. In fact, one would be expected to order an echo.

My current concern is, should I bother getting a more canggih, professional looking stethoscope for my upcoming clinical exams? At a recent course in London, I was advised to bin my Litmann II, which has been with me since my student days. If I did purchase a new one, there would be the temporary excitement of a new toy which would last perhaps all of 2 days. Perhaps I would be able to pick up the odd new aortic regurgitation in a patient with Type A aortic dissection. It might make a 2% difference in my chances of passing. On the other hand, the examiners might expect me to be able to pick up a grade I mitral stenosis murmur with a fancier instrument, whereas if I stuck with my Litmann II, I might be forgiven for missing it. There is also the issue of parting with approximately 130 quid for an upgrade, which I am reluctant to do as I do not foresee having to use a stethoscope on a regular basis beyond the next 2 years if all goes to plan.

The Morton Medical website sure has a mind boggling array of choices, from the most basic single lumen type to the electronic stethoscopes which will even hint strongly at the diagnosis, not much clinical acumen required.

Would anyone care to donate a Cardio III stethoscope? Perhaps one of you who have crossed over to the dark side, err I mean surgery. Or even loan it to me for a few months, just until the exams are over lol.

Now my other dilemmas are, should I get a Snellen chart? Or an ophthalmoscope? The cost benefit analysis continues...