Recent SES lites on a few different friends and relatives vehicles has caused me to be interested in purchasing a scanner. Curious as to what you all may think are the better one'* out there. Thanks.

I went for the cheapest I could find. I bought the Actron CP9125 "PocketScan" from Autozone for $79. It'* a very basic scanner that will only read codes and reset the light; but, that was all I needed it to do. The big disadvantage it has over the next one, that is nearly twice the money, is that you have to look up the code in the book and/or write them down and use their software to find the code. The more expensive one displayed the "generic" codes as text bellow the number.

Of course I'm sure you can keep spending more and more money and getting more and more features. But, if all you want is a basic scan tool. This is perfect for that.

-Pat

if you have a laptop, or computer you can move out to your car, OR a Pocket PC/Palm Pilot AutoEnginuity'* Scan Tool (and Speed Tracer for free) is a really good product.

http://www.autoenginuity.com

I've used this on my car several times, friends cars, etc. Works great. Allows you to see the code plus get a DESCRIPTION. Manually start on board diags, and of course clear the SES condition.

i thought about purchasing one of those didnt know how reliable they were

Do you want data logging of all the parameters as well?

I have a copy of Auterra'* scan tool software. Runs on most palmtops. it will also datalog... This is alot smaller and cheaper.

http://www.auterraweb.com/index.html

new/used palms are pretty cheap... new/used laptops are not...

Bought mine off of ebay for about $130. I had to buy a USB connector (hot sync cable) for my Sony Clie and it cost about $16....

There are modules for each car make.... You can record data or even plot data while the engine is running....

It will also read codes and clear codes.... also has a dyno package....

Sorry...hit submit twice while waiting...

I saw one of actron'* that could initiate O2 Sensor Diagnostics which I thought would be cool, but like "pfalso" I probably would just use it for looking at and resetting codes.