Can anyone tell me what scan tools they know will work with the LB7 and which is the best value

Do you just want it to read trouble codes? If so, anything that will read OBDII will work. I would get one that's capable of clearing them too.

try the 3 in 1 scan tool. it can read and clear codes along with giving you real time readouts of inlet air temp, coolant temp, % load, water temp, fuel economy turbo boost etc. , It can also readout avg fuel economy for a tank, trip etc. and can be adjusted for tuners. It can also adjust your speed for tire size. (reads correct on the scanner, not the spedo). It plugs into the OBD2 port. you can move it between vehicles. I have one and works great. Only complaint is that the box is pretty basic looking. Cost is about $125. here is the website

http://www.scangauge.com/

I like ODB-2 from Alex Peper. You can find it here. (http://www.obd-2.com/) It is not the simplest to work with but the price makes up for that ):h I use it for codes and balance rates.

Do you have to have a laptop to use this type of scan tool?

Slick,

If you are asking about the ODB-2 software, you'll need a Windoze computer to run it. A laptop just makes it easier.

This got my interest up in reading about this, but can't seem to find anyone that can tell me if it will read out MPG and such with a 6.5 diesel engine. I saw one guy saying it would only work with gasoline engines, but since I saw it here in the DieselPlace I figured someone with a diesel could answer my question before I put the money down and tried one out. Also wonder if the tach feature works with the diesel if I don't have one on the van. Thanks, for any help, (I was mainly wanting to read some codes) but this would be nice for other things.

try the 3 in 1 scan tool. it can read and clear codes along with giving you real time readouts of inlet air temp, coolant temp, % load, water temp, fuel economy turbo boost etc. , It can also readout avg fuel economy for a tank, trip etc. and can be adjusted for tuners. It can also adjust your speed for tire size. (reads correct on the scanner, not the spedo). It plugs into the OBD2 port. you can move it between vehicles. I have one and works great. Only complaint is that the box is pretty basic looking. Cost is about $125. here is the website

http://www.scangauge.com/

This got my interest up in reading about this, but can't seem to find anyone that can tell me if it will read out MPG and such with a 6.5 diesel engine. I saw one guy saying it would only work with gasoline engines, but since I saw it here in the DieselPlace I figured someone with a diesel could answer my question before I put the money down and tried one out. Also wonder if the tach feature works with the diesel if I don't have one on the van. Thanks, for any help, (I was mainly wanting to read some codes) but this would be nice for other things.

send them an email on there website. I got a quick response verifying it worked on a duramax. They claim it will work on all OBD2 systems, basically cars after 05 and trucks after 06. Been happy with mine so far.

I did send them a note and got a email back saying it would give all but the fuel pressure and timing, is that what you are seeing with yours. I have one on order, so should see it by the end of the week, (I Hope)
He said that they made it so it would work with the diesel about 3 months ago. I will give my reports after I get it and install is done.

send them an email on there website. I got a quick response verifying it worked on a duramax. They claim it will work on all OBD2 systems, basically cars after 05 and trucks after 06. Been happy with mine so far.

I did send them a note and got a email back saying it would give all but the fuel pressure and timing, is that what you are seeing with yours. I have one on order, so should see it by the end of the week, (I Hope)
He said that they made it so it would work with the diesel about 3 months ago. I will give my reports after I get it and install is done.

correct. it won't read out fuel pressure, timing reads most everything else including AP (turbo boost). (actually reads absolute pressure so 0lbs boost reads 15 lbs MAP, half to subtract 15 lbs from the reading to get boost)
Fuel mileage will probably be off until you calibrate it. (Run a tank and input the actual fuel used to fill the tank)

I got the unit in today and put it in the van. This is a 1999 6.5 TD.
I set the diesel type for Type "B" after running a bit, and seeing how many GPH it was taking and then the average MPG and that seemed about right. Put the size of my tank and all in it. On the 6.5 the MAP sensor doesn't have a readout, or doesn't register on the tool, so I can't get any turbo pressure. I have had a problem on the van wanting to stall one or two times and just did put a Lift pump on it, as i was getting voltage to the pump, but the pump wasn't running and the new pump seems to be ok. I read codes out of the computer and found a PO251 which says it is a
P0251 - Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" Malfunction (Cam/Rotor/Injector)
I hope that the lift pump was my problem and that was what set the code problem. I will report with what I find with the unit as time goes on.

correct. it won't read out fuel pressure, timing reads most everything else including AP (turbo boost). (actually reads absolute pressure so 0lbs boost reads 15 lbs MAP, half to subtract 15 lbs from the reading to get boost)
Fuel mileage will probably be off until you calibrate it. (Run a tank and input the actual fuel used to fill the tank)

all in all the 3 in 1 scan tools seems like lots of bang for the buck. So far I'm happy with mine.