Ok, for the last few years I've been fortunate enough to be able to borrow/use a code reader when I needed one. But now, for various reasons, it's time to buy my own. The ones I've borrowed range from very simple readers up to the Snap-On reader - which I cannot afford or justify buying. My budget looks to be about $250 tops but I'd rather come in under that. My list of "must haves" for the reader include the ability to read engine, transmission and ABS codes. It should also be updatable. OBDI would be nice but I won't give up ABS for it.
Wanting the ABS capability seems to drastically limit the the number of possable reader pool but it also gives many other nice features that non ABS units don't always have. I do not want any gimmiky bluetooth or computer based software, I want a good, seperate, handheld tool.

Anyway, my short list right now is:
Actron CO9580 - approx $150-$160
Equus Inova 3160b - approx $200

So, anyone with experience with these units or suggestions on something else?
Thanks in advance for your input
Dave

I don't have experience with the exact unit, but I use a similar Equus product.. I have had no complaint against it.. works quite well.. backlit screen, live parameter monitoring, data logging, etc.

I just use it to read code mostly, though.. so I don't need any of the fancy feature anyway..

I would go with the Equus, I have one a little older than the one you're looking at and it's a great reader, but then again... it's just a reader. All it does is read codes.

We have an Actron that we take to car auctions with us. The one we visit allows 15 minutes for car warm-up before they cross the block and in that time potential buyers can go run codes, hear it run, etc. Hasn't let me down in 2 years!