The 40 dollar set will do well enough.
You could buy a 200 dollar Snap-On deluxe set if you want ..
but ...any basic pretty decent one is good enough for your purposes.

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Lauterbach" <jhlauterbach@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 7:08 PM
Subject: selecting a compression tester

> One of the few advantages of the recent problems with my '84 Vanagon is
> that my Son, age 13, has taken a sudden interest in the Vanagon and
> wants to get his hands dirty testing it and fixing it.
>
> Several list members have mentioned need for a compression test and a
> leak-down test.  Local shops are already on Christmas schedule
> (remember, this is the Deep South), so any testing will be DIY and a
> chance to further my Son's practical education.
>
> Are any of the compression testers at the stores still open any better
> than others?  Local AutoZone has a tester for $40 that included the
> screw in adapters for doing the leak-down test (already have air
> compressor).  I have the usual array of stores available to me.
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> John