Best OBD-II reader for '97 F355?

I had bought two different readers to work with my 98 355 Spider. Had a CEL right after getting my major done. The mechanic showed me that the immobilizer needs to be deactivated in order for the reader to work. Voila! Success even with the local Advance Auto store, which allows you to use their reader free right in their lot. So in retrospect, there was probably nothing wrong with either of my readers, or the pin configuration, etc. just try chirping the immobilizer button on your key fob and the data should download. And, the engine did not need to be running. Just chirp the key fob, turn ignition on, and info should start to download. Hope this is the answer for a lot of frustrated owners out there.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I would suspect that the issue for my dad and the first reader he bought must have been that the car was not 'on', or the immobilizer was active.

Hopefully he can actually get the codes the next time the light illuminates and we can determine the cause for it.

 

FWIW, using my OBDII scanner, my car must be started. I recently scanned one of my dad's Chrysler's and had the same issue, yet scanning my Maserati, the key only needs to be "on"

 

so which one did you buy that worked?