ebay doppler

[snugglebug14]

Has anyone purchase the fetal dopplers that they sell on ebay. There seems to be 2 different ones that are always on there and around around 100-120. This seems much more affordable than 400-600 that I see on midwifery websites. Is it even worth it to buy an ebay one though? I am just going to be unhappy with it and need to replace it in a year anyways? There's no way I'll be able to afford an expensive one anytime soon so should I just get an ebay one to get me through the next few years of school and apprenticing and then buy a nice on when I'm practicing on my own? thanks so much for any input/advice!

[Reha]

I have seen those and my main reservation is calibration. I don't want it to be emitting any more ultrasound than a doppler is supposed to, and I don't know that I trust those ones....seems there is something odd about them. But, really, that is just my gut talking, I don't really know anything solid about them.

[mwherbs]

the one I use now I bought on ebay
I know several other mws have bought their doppler on ebay- if it is used read the disclaimer and ask questions before hand - and be sure to read the feedback-
I think that depending on the place you live and the kind of practice you are in there may be some restrictions on the ones you would want to buy because some are from England and I don't think that they are FDA approved- and if you have an audit it will not be acceptable

[MidwifeErika]

You know, I was just thinking about the same thing today! I have seen one doppler on there the brand is either Taiyi or Faiyi, it is hard to read through the picture, that I have seen that doppler listed for CHEAP! And then since it is so cheap, it makes my excitement dwindle because I wonder what is wrong with it that it would be so affordable.

[mendomidwife]

I've been wondering the same thing because I need to purchase a new doppler.
What is consider the best brand these days? I love the one I have, but they don't make them anymore.

Carla

[khaoskat]

Not a midwife, but I did purchase a doppler on E-bay for around $130 with shipping. I do use it sparingly, as I am extremely nervious after a full term unexpected still birth.

The one I purchased I believe is the "Hi Bebe", and I do believe it is FDA approved in the US. I can go pull it out of the coat closet where I store it and check for sure if anyone likes.

It came with a nice carry case even and batteries.

Sorry - not sure if this violates user policy, but this is the one I purchased (but not from this website, I purchased mine off e-bay)...

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/hi...pler_bt200.htm

[mwherbs]

so the FDA approval is not essential - England has it's own approval stuff and I am sure that if they are fine there the dopplers are going to be safe here but there are official channels here and our government has to approve-- it is sort of like buying drugs in Canada or Mexico- often the same US manufacturers and way cheaper- these things are safe.
used ones may be cracked or broken but the one I bought came with a guarantee.
there are some vascular dopplers I see on sale off and on they are the wrong kind- and I think that they are 8 MgHz

you want 2 or 3 MgHz

[pamamidwife]

I bought one of those white ones that they say the whole thing can be immersed in water. The sound quality was HORRIBLE - very staticy. And it was new. That was my only experience.

[midwifetx]

I also bought one of the submersable ones and was unimpressed with the sound quality, but it works for what I need it to do. I only used it at births in the water, and the price was so low that it was worth the poor sound quality to not have to get the mom up out of the tub to listen.

[mwherbs]

the emersable one I had in the past was a sonicaid- and it had a read out as well as when fully emersed you could feel the beat with your hand over the speaker-- well the combo of water in the speaker and heat (over 110) in my car it cooked the speaker and not useable any more- unfortunately I don't have a water proof head what i have is the 2 speaker elite doppler- and for $$$ I could buy a water proof head- what I will probably do is buy one of the water proof ones on Ebay- but the kind that has a cord- not the fully emersable ones--
what are you using now Pam?

[pamamidwife]

I looked all over for one of those SonicAids...and I thought the one mentioned above was what it was, but it wasn't. Bah!

I use a Huntleigh now. It's my second one in seven years, but I just love the sound quality and the probe. I've tried most other ones on the market (I used to work for Cascade), but I have a fondness for the Huntleighs. Fortunately, they make them for a few different companies and you can get them on eBay at times brand new for a pretty good price!

[midwifetx]

I'm fond of the Imex Elite doppler's wide head, but I think doppler heads are like religion...you're most likely to be partial to the one you're raised on

[pamamidwife]

Originally Posted by midwifetx

I'm fond of the Imex Elite doppler's wide head, but I think doppler heads are like religion...you're most likely to be partial to the one you're raised on

this is so true!

[mwherbs]

I was raised on fetal scopes and I am partial to them but not so good in water
honestly if I can get a non-crackly clear sound that is what I care about-

[birthgreeter]

good to read your opinions, as I have been looking on ebay too. Had a friend who did get one from ebay about 2 months ago, and so far she is happy with it. Not sure what kind it was.

[Jane]

I bought a medasonic on ebay. I might get another one for a spare - maybe one of the no-name ones, but I'd prefer a "named" doppler.

[sevenkids]

I bought a gently used Huntleigh for less than $200, it works wonderfully well, but didn't have a waterproof probe. I also bought a new Sonotrax with a waterproof probe, and it works very well, too. I paid $120 for it, but I had to sit at my computer for a few hours to make sure no one out bid me, and i lost a few bids and dopplers that way.

I'm partial to my pinard horn, myself, but most Moms and Dads want to hear baby.

[midwifetx]

I have found that when buying dopplers on Ebay, the trick is to find auctions ending between midnight and six AM, because they always go for a LOT cheaper than the ones that end during the day. I use a 'snipe tool' though, so I don't have to babysit the auctions.