About two months ago, having damaged my previous scan tool (Snap-On MTG2500) I bought a two-generations-newer Snap-On Solus Pro for just under $350; with an OBD-2 connector, some Asian OBD-1 connectors, the black plastic storage case, a rechargeable battery that isn't completely fried, and the battery charger. There's more Solus Pros on eBay, prices ranging from under $150 (bare tools, no adapters, no battery, no bigass plastic suitcase to store it in) to about a thousand dollars. Mostly in the $600--$800 range, but quite a few sell for less. Many tools--like mine--have the 8.2 software which is good to '07 vehicles. Newer software--up to 2016 or 2017, but not newer than that--costs extra. Support for the Solus Pro has already ended, there are NO MORE UPDATES including updating my 8.2 to 16.x or whatever the newest version is. What you buy is what you get.Unfortunately I don't own a scanner (yet). Currently DashCommand is my only view into the digital innards. And even Dashcommend is limited for the '97 L29 i.e., "Advanced PIDS" are not available. What scanner would you gents recommend for a cheapskate DIY hack? Is there a unit available in the + - $300 price range equipped with a decent set of troubleshooting functions/features? I might be willing to up the ante to $400 but my internal whining voice usually kicks-in at this expenditure amount (nauseatingly whiny when related to tax payments).
My only "real" disappointment is that although the 8.2 software talks to the ABS module for codes, clearing codes, reading wheel speed and other ABS data, it doesn't allow "automated ABS bleeding" on my '97 K2500. 14.2 does. I don't know when Snap-On put that feature in the software. Either version does ABS bleeding on a 2003 Trailblazer, though.
The trick is to get software new enough for the vehicles you're going to work on, including European which also costs extra. And then get the older OBD-1 adapters for the vehicles you're going to work on. If you're only doing OBD-2 stuff, all you need is the OBD-2 adapter plus some "Personality keys" which configure the adapter to the vehicle. Some vehicles or procedures don't need a personality key, some do.
A decent scan tool will talk to the engine computer, the body computer, work with ABS, Air Bags, the instrument cluster, and more (depending on the vehicle. Older vehicles have only the engine computer, and maybe an ABS system.)