I inherited many tools from my neighbor when he past away. One was an Actron Diagnostic Kit.

He got it from J.C. Whitney several years ago now. I have had it for five years myself. It came with the scanner/ reader with plug adapters for Ford/ mercury products, Toyota and Nissan. A nice automotive type multimeter, O-2 sensor meter with a LED scaling tree of lights and several books. They cover those cars plus a DVD program for the codes to put onto your computer.

The actually scanner shows the code and give you a read out of what the code means. I have not had a reason to use the DVD because it works very well in that aspect. You can read, erase and reset engine lights all with the same tool.

It is a nice package if you are getting in from the beginning without buying duplicates. The multimeter does have features that are covered by other things you may already have. I had some of those instruments collected over the years.

I think, he gave somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 dollars for it at the time. Maybe like in 2004.
As I remember, he purchased a used 2002 Ford Explorer and did not want to pay for those diagnostic fees and because I was around to help him learn to use it. Plus it would also work on his 86 Oldsmobile OBD I which he was always fighting with the throttle body carburetor and an economizing valve on it.

His planning was that I could use it on my cars since I had so many. But I had to inform him (to late) that my cars did not have such a thing. Only my 91 has diagnostics and it was built in. Very similar to his Oldsmobile that it flashed a light only!

You know, I never used it with him but I know both cars had plugs under the steering wheel? I think he scared himself in to buying it, but he was a fisherman, part farmer and a fleet mechanic, he liked being prepared!

Sure hated to see that old man go though. It sure felt awkward having to dig through his stuff before a garage sale but his family insisted that I to do it, as that is what he told them and me! I get misty, just thinking it over still! Good neighbor for better than fifteen years! We were both retired for five of them.

Anyway that my input or output depending on ...?. I do not have any experience with any other brands so good luck in picking!
Phil