As a major supplier of medical Dopplers for over 30 years, we are often asked about the difference in Doppler types and brands that we carry. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. You may be wondering which type of Doppler is the best? What brand is the most trusted? What probe would be best for my practice? This guide will help you find the Doppler that is right for you, starting with 5 simple questions:

Do you need an obstetric Doppler, vascular Doppler, or a Doppler that has functionality for both?

Huntleigh offers dual-use handheld Dopplers and all the other brands we carry are multi-purpose handheld Dopplers for both obstetrical and vascular use. However, when using the same Doppler for both purposes, regardless of brand, you will lose specific features depending on the unit you choose. Digital display units designed for showing Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) will not function when used for vascular purposes, and units designed for vascular readings will not show FHR when used for obstetrical purposes. Always choose a Doppler designed for the predominant application, and if you regularly perform both obstetrical and vascular examinations, we recommend a multi-purpose Doppler or both an obstetric and a vascular Doppler for best results.

Do you prefer audio-only readings or a Doppler that has both audio and digital display?

Each brand we carry has both audio-only and digital display options. Digital display provides you with instant numeric readings. The Huntleigh SR2, SR3, SRX, and DMX series displays readings in both numeric and trace views.

If purchasing an obstetric Doppler, how important is early detection in your practice?

This helps when choosing your probe. 2 MHz probes are for general use and commonly detect Fetal Heart Rates (FHR) around 10 weeks; whereas 3 MHz probes are more enhanced, offering early detection of FHR around 8 weeks.

Do you require a waterproof probe? If so, how frequently?

This helps for brand choice. Huntleigh waterproof probes are fixed to the Doppler so you can't change the probe. Nicolet Elite, Summit LifeDop and Newman DigiDop Dopplers are all multi-use units, which means their probes are interchangeable, allowing you to use the same unit with different probes when desired.

Are you going to want to use different probes regularly?

If the answer to this question is yes, it is more economical to choose a Doppler that allows you to change the probes. You will save money by only needing to buy one Doppler that you can purchase different probes for, allowing you the flexibility to simply attach a different probe to suit the situation. We sell obstetrical and vascular probes separately for all the brands we carry.

Now that you've answered those five questions, here is a general breakdown of the key features each brand offers.

HUNTLEIGH DOPPLERS

Huntleigh was the first brand to introduce waterproof Dopplers, and has since been the most well-known brand for waterproof units.

• The waterproof probe is sealed where it attaches to the Doppler - meaning it is not interchangeable. This feature makes it shock resistant and protects the unit from accidental fluid spills.
• Huntleigh obstetric Dopplers are known for the quickness of their response to changing heart tones.
• All Huntleigh Dopplers have built-in shock resistance that helps protect them against bumps or jostling. The SR2, SR3, SRX, and DMX models also have a built in Dynamic Digital Noise Reduction technology.
• Digital display and audio-only options are available, depending on your preference.
• Huntleigh offers 8 MHz sterilizable intraoperative vascular probes for use with their Intraoperative Dopplers. 

NICOLET ELITE AND NICOLET IMEX DOPPLERS

Nicolet Elite and Nicolet Imex handheld Dopplers are multi-use and are among the most economical portable Doppler units we offer.

• Nicolet Doppler probes are known for a shorter, wider, round shape, which some find preferable.
• Elite offers a 2 MHz waterproof probe for use with all handheld Elite Dopplers.
• Imex offers a 2 MHz waterproof probe for use with the Imex Pocket-Dop II and Imex CT+ Doppler.
• All Nicolet Elite and Imex Dopplers are multi-use. Elite probes are interchangeable with any Elite Doppler and Imex probes are interchangeable with any Imex Doppler, allowing you the flexibility to use multiple probes without the cost of having to buy multiple Dopplers.
• Digital display and audio-only Dopplers are available depending on your preference.

SUMMIT LIFEDOP DOPPLERS

Summit LifeDop handheld Dopplers are multi-use units as well. What makes the LifeDop Doppler stand out is the convenience and portable design of their vascular ABI handheld Dopplers with portable printers.

• All handheld LifeDop Dopplers are multi-use units, allowing you the ability to use a variety of probes with the same Doppler.
• Summit offers a 2 MHz waterproof probe.
• Summit offers 8 MHz sterilizable LifeDop vascular probes.
• LifeDop probes are all interchangeable and can be used with any LifeDop Doppler, except the ABI System Dopplers. LifeDop ABI Dopplers can only use LifeDop ABI vascular probes.
• The LifeDop ABI Systems with portable printers are one of the best ABI systems with printers available and the most portable option we offer.
• Digital display and audio-only options are available, depending on your preference.

NEWMAN DIGIDOP II DOPPLERS

The Newman DigiDop handheld Dopplers come with a rechargeable option and are multi-use. Newman also has a unique waterproof 3 MHz probe option.

• The DigiDop 770R is rechargeable and eco-friendly as it does not require frequent changing of batteries.
• All models are multi-use and have interchangeable probes.
• Newman has the option of a unique waterproof 3 MHz probe.

PROBE OPTIONS

Obstetric Probes

• 2 MHz probe: detects Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) as early as 10 weeks for most Dopplers.
• 3 MHz probe: enhanced to detect FHR as early as 8 weeks for most Dopplers.
• 2 MHz waterproof probe: same function as the regular 2 MHz probe, only it is waterproof and commonly used for water births.
• 3 MHz waterproof probe (offered by Newman DigiDop): same function as the regular 3 MHz probe, only it is waterproof and commonly used for water births.

Vascular Probes

• 4 MHz probe (offered by Huntleigh and Summit LifeDop): for detection of deep lying vessels.
• 5 MHz probe: commonly used for vascular testing above the knee and above the elbow. Ideal for detection of deep lying vessels.
• 8 MHz probe: most common general use vascular probe, commonly used for vascular testing below the knee and below the elbow. Ideal for detection of peripheral vessels.
• EZ8 MHz probe (offered by Huntleigh): for the same use as the 8 MHz probe, but with a wider beam making it easier for detection.
• 8 MHz sterilizable probe (offered by Huntleigh and Summit LifeDop): offers all of the same functions as the regular 8 MHz probe but is sterilizable.
• 10 MHz probe (offered by Huntleigh): for detection of smaller vessels in specialist superficial applications. Commonly used by plastic surgeons for checking blood flow for skin grafts.

At Cascade, we have carefully selected each brand of Doppler we carry for three common reasons: all of the brands offer high quality Dopplers, each brand we carry is known for designing durable, reliable Dopplers that will serve you for years, and we only choose companies that stand behind their products, that have excellent customer service departments, and that offer good warranties for their products. Good customer relationships are part of the foundation that makes up Cascade, which is why we only work with companies that provide you with the same high level of service and quality we expect and offer.

Hopefully the above information will be useful during your next Doppler purchase, but as always, if you have any lingering questions, let us know! Our customer service team is standing by and can be reached at support@cascadehealth.com