Code Reader Advice?

Good morning. I want to get my son (also my mechanic!) a new code reader for his birthday. My late husband had given him a good one that he cherished. Recently his Yota Taco burned to the ground, and unfortunately he lost many tools, a few firearms, and the code reader. He has worked hard, does so much for family and others, and didn't deserve that. Can anyone advise me on a good, mid priced model/brand of code reader so that I can at least try to replace that? Any advice would be appreciated, and thanks in advance.

 

You’re a wonderful mom. So sweet of you. You mentioned mid price. Can you just tell us what you can afford to spend? Harbor Freight has a new OBD2 (code reader) that’s getting huge reviews but that’s 800. What price range are you looking to be in and this community will help. Foxwell makes a good reader as well. You can get different models from $60-300. Given he is a mechanic, he probably knows what he needs. Could you take a different approach and just ask him and say you want to buy him it.

 

I was thinking about $300. Maybe it would be best to just let him pick it out. I don't know what kind he lost. He has a birthday coming up this month, and I really do want him to have one that would be useful to him. Thanks bunches for the suggestion

 

That’s an excellent idea.

 

I'm not a mechanic but I was watching Mr CarCareNut reviewing these 2 scan tools.
(In case you don't know, he is a very respectable Toyota mechanic.)

https://amzn.to/3Tbcd5Q
(This seem to have a limited time deal today)


https://amzn.to/4kOTvxr
(A little cheaper version of above one. No special discounts to be seen.)

 

Let him pick it. Some of this type device required subscription fee to access highly technical information for professional mechanic.

 

Rad mom, rad idea. I dont know how "into" vehicle repair dude is, ...... But,

AUTEL is top tier, and started the entire gig years ago, IMHO. ... Especially if he is really into vehicle repair. Hell, I've seen the one from harbor freight in action twice, (the ICON i think?) And its one hell of a tool. Good ones, are expensive, but not the lame cheap o type, they are high level. He would use the tool for a LONG time to come.
EDIT- I would let him pick the unit. Just be a bit ready for the sticker shock. But some units are well above others, or, the user is way familiar with the OS of one over another. Like putting on your favorite work boots.
And sorry to hear about your misfortunes. Happy wheeling.

 

Matco Tools has code readers from about $150 - $800 Son-in-law owns a Matco truck, I got one from him that cost about $300 the part number is: PPTBREAKBOX

 

Thank you so much everybody. I knew I could get some great advice here!