I guess I should clarify what I'm looking for. In a nutshell, I want the Mercedes HHT (not the SDS). They are different, correct? The HHT is a standalone, hand-held scanner... and the SDS is a computerized system that works along with WIS and DAS software, right? But AFAIK, I can't easily obtain an HHT (and likely it wouldn't be under $1k anyway). And the SDS is both too much $$$ and way overkill for a DIY guy like myself. Given those assumptions:

What aftermarket scanner solution will provide the same static data as the Mercedes HHT? Specifically, the 3-digit DTC's shown in the screen shot a few posts earlier? This is on a 1994 E500, M119.974, with 38-pin connector. From reading some posts, it sounds like even the MT2500 may not show all the codes a simple LED impulse counter will, if it doesn't have at least the 2003 cartridge (wow - that's crazy)... for example it may not show the codes from the ASR module??

For the record, I'm not at all talking about OBD-II, none of my cars have an OBD-II port. Ditto for the rest of my family, we all have the early cars with 38-pin connectors. And I have the utmost respect for diagnostic technicians! But I'd like to attempt to learn how to diagnose things myself first, and after I have reached an impasse, then turn it over to the experts. Otherwise I'll never learn anything. At the moment, it seems that with the proper tools (i.e., the MB HHT), I would have more information available to work with, since impulse code "2" on the EA/CC/ISC indicates over a dozen different things. The HHT would knock that down to 4 possibilities or less!