This is a very decent BRAND NEW, Professional Physician Otoscope-Ophthalmoscope Diagnostic Set with CASE. It is made from chrome plated brass and is sturdy and built to last for repeated use in a clinic. This unit makes use of a variable light intensity rheostat type switch that delivers an increasing light intensity through the otoscope and ophthalmoscope as you rotate the switch. The bright 3.2 Volt Halogen lamp is powered by 2 standard C sized alkaline batteries.
IMPORTANT: The instrument handle utilizes a bayonet luer-locking mechanism for changing the instrument heads instead of a pin and small screw that can strip or wear out over time. The heart of any otoscope is it's lens. Our otoscope lens is optical quality and made from glass and specially coated to help resist scratches. Our lens slides out of the way for foreign body removal or cleaning. Our otoscope contains a metal insufflation outlet and insufflation bulbs are available for it on our website and on Amazon. The otoscope works with with disposable specula which is a very important consideration if you will be using the otoscope in a clinical environment or concerned about sanitary issues going from one ear canal to another. The professional model ophthalmoscope contains a complete set of lens from -25 to +40 diopters. It is basic in design and doesn't have all the bells in whistles of a Welch Allyn but it gives a good view of the retina. A weblink to an otoscope instruction sheet with many high resolution color pictures of various eardrum abnormalities and ear tubes comes with your purchase.
Pros: I purchased my oto/opthalmoscope set about a year and a half ago. It's been just fine for me. I appreciate that I don't have to spend many hundreds of dollars on a diagnostic kit that I won't use on my rotations or residency (since everything you use there is attached to the wall anyway). This is good enough to help you see everything you need to see and to practice with at home for your diagnostic labs/classes.
Cons: It's powered by two (2) C batteries. This could be a pro or a con. For me, I just take out the batteries from the handle after I'm done using it (that way the batteries aren't leaking energy, just sitting in the closet). I guess this way it might even cost less to use one pair of C batteries (I haven't had to buy new ones yet) than it might to pay for the electricity it would take to have it sit on a charger for 2 years. Either way, it's a pretty trivial cost. I don't call my friends over to see my cool doctor stuff because its not particularly beautiful to look at.
Overall Review: My daughter knocked the otoscope/handle off the table and it broke the light of the otoscope (but the opthalmoscope works just fine still). I'm contacting R.A. Bock to see if they'll replace it for me, so I'll amend my entry here when that happens.