Since when does it cost $60 to have someone run your computer for codes? Advance Discount Auto Parts has always done that for free. Autozone probably does it too, but I never go there. But why did you pay around $200 (if it's new that is) for a code reader anyway? Just seems like a waste of money unless you're training to become a mechanic.
And the differences between a scanner and a reader, are just that. One scans the computer for timing issues, air/fuel ratio, etc. It's used to fix problems within the computer. Like say you are running a little lean because you just did a cam swap. Well, a scanner lets you go in and adjust the fuel so that your engine will be getting the right amount of fuel required to run properly. As for a reader.. it does just that.. it reads codes that the computer throws out. Just a basic way to diagnose small problems, like say your o2 sensor is bad.
Here's an example of OBDII scanner:
http://www.whitetigerimports.com/pro..._id=4609714283
And here's one of a OBDII code reader:
http://www.autobarn.net/canobd23110.html