Equus 3030 Innova Diagnostic Code Reader for OBDII (Post-1996) Vehicles

I've been working on my own cars for years and just recently bought a car new enough to have OBDII. Just after I bought the car, the SES light came on. I quickly found out that I can't just jump two terminals in the ALDL connector to find out what's going on, like I can with my pre-1996 truck. After doing some research, I chose the Equus 3030 because it seemed like it would do what I needed at a reasonable price. I wanted something that would read codes, check the status of sensors, and let me turn off the SES light.

After receiving the code reader, I read the manual and then plugged it into my car. The Equus 3030 really couldn't be much easier to use. It provided all the information I needed to help me diagnose and repair the problem (which turned out to be a slow responding oxygen sensor).

Bottom line; the Equus 3030 does exactly what I want it to do, it is easy to use, it's very reasonably priced, and it's already paid for itself at least once over (I've since used it to diagnose a problem on a friend's 1995 Blazer).

There's been enough reviews of this to allow you to make up your mind. One word for caution for Subaru owners: Apparently there is still a compatibility issue as of October 2008. When I hooked the thing to my 2000 outback, it wouldn't read anything (error is what I got), although it worked fine on my VW. The customer service was quick to respond to my request for help, and suggested to read the code while the engine was running. That did the trick, so I can read codes now.
So, subaru owners: if you can't read the codes with the engine stopped, try with the engine running. Worked for me.

Received the OBD11 code reader on time five days...
I had to use it on my Saturn found the fault code and
fixed the problem...
A few days later my brother gave me a call he had a
fault on his Ford truck... I hooked up the OBD11 code
reader and gave him the fault code information,,, he
fixed his problem...
YES this OBD11 code reader gets a five star rating from
me!!! WORKS GREAT!!!

After being "robbed" with a $150 diagnostic charge for a loose gas cap, I invested in this unit. It's easy to use and I have now had the opportunity to use it on my wife's car and found check engine light was on for another loose gas cap. With this unit I was able to shut the light off!! Hurray!! I have in one use recouped the cost of the unit an saved $80 as well. Buy one, it's well worth it.

This is what it is and does what it does. It is a basic bare bones code reader (doesn't give you any live telemetry data) but has the advantage of being future proof. This is one of the most affordable code readers that works with the older On-Board Diagnostics (OBDII) and the newer Controller-area network (CAN or CAN-bus). CAN has been in use by some car manufacturers since the 1990's but as of 2008 all new cars sold in the U.S. are required to use CAN. Both protocols use the same type of connector on most cars.

Even if you have a car that is OBDII don't be tempted to save a few bucks on an OBDII only reader; your bound to have a CAN type car in the future. This thing is well made, the LCD and status lights are highly readable and the controls are simple and easy to learn.

Amazon is shipping the updated 3030a model that is virtually the same as the one pictured except for a slightly different button placement and a newer processor that apparently is more compatible with all car manufacturers.