Any Code Scanner Recommendations?

[Benm109]

Alright, sometime in the near future I am planning on buying some form of scan tool (not the $20 ones) because I work on a lot of different kinds of cars now (ever since I started taking Auto Tech at college, friends and family have been asking me to help with their car problems ). I was just wondering if anyone knows of any really good companies out their that make good scan tools. My only requirements are I would like it to display live data, be able to see, store, and erase trouble codes, and work on different cars (82 and up GM, 83 and up Ford and Chrysler, and maybe some imports). So, does anyone have any recommendations or advice?


P.S. I think I would like to find something under $500, if that is possible.

[Injuneer]

Review the products available from Auto Xray. They offer a wide variety of CODE READERS (will only detect "trouble" codes), and SCANNERS (detect trouble codes AND read data from sensors and calculated/tabular ECM parameters), in OBD-I, OBD-II and "both". They have options for cables to work with all US and many import vehicles. Some of the up-level scanners can be interfaced to PC's for data recording and analysis. Prices range from under $100 (street price) to $700.

Auot Xray Product Listing