OBD2 Scanner Recommendation

You might be able to get something more affordable if you go with a scanner that's intended for a specific make and year range, or an "accessport" device and tuning software. I got a VCDS tool for my brother's 2005 VW Passat for a few hundo, full functionality outside of tuning mods (can read all the VW-specific codes and monitor all sensors on the car in real-time) but only works on late-90s to mid-2000s VW/Audi vehicles. I also got an HPTuners accessport and tuning software for my 2000 Buick for similar cost, can scan codes AND modify tunes (very powerful) but you have to pay a fee for "credits" to assign the tool to a specific vehicle. That fee can range from <$100 to quite a bit more depending on the make, model and year range of vehicle you want to tune/scan. You also need a laptop computer to use those devices but it doesn't need to be anything fancy and lower-end laptops are pretty cheap these days (as in, $500 or less).

I only see a use in the $3000 "real man's scanners" for actual professional mechanics, unless like @Syleng1 said you can find a used one for a good deal.