For the first time in my life, I'm considering purchasing a computer controlled engine. I'm looking at a motorhome that's been converted to a 24v 5.9 Cummins which has an electronically controlled injection pump. A nice feature of the engine is that it diagnoses itself. In the original truck, you can get the codes to display in the odometer, but not in the conversion I'm looking at. Can someone enlighten me about diagnostic scanners. Are diesel scanners different than gasoline? What kind of scanner should I buy if I end up with the vehicle? Are there simple inexpensive scanners for the backyard mechanic or do they all fall in the $300-500 range?
Is it possible to get an adaptor cord and hook the vehicle up to your laptop? Would buying an old laptop and the computer program be better than purchasing a scanner because the laptop could display more data?

Do people who own the later model electronic MB diesels have their own scanners?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13