California Level 1 & ELD Coversation

That was just plain scary

 

Sorry, but only a fool runs out and buys the most expensive version of something he didn't want or need in the first place. For 90% of the industry, there is no benefit to be found in those "extra features" above and beyond what is required, and to pay $1000+ for the device PLUS $40+ per month? They don't need messaging services, live tracking, or any of the other telematics those things keep track of...JUST the elog as required by law. So why pay for all that extra crap you don't want or need? There are companies out there that provide just enough to be legal for a fair price. Companies that didn't have millions tied up in lobbying costs pushing for a mandate VERY FEW in the industry actually wanted. Companies which saw a market for devices that DON'T cost an arm and a leg yet meet the requirements.

Like anything electronic, there are glitches. Remember the dreaded blue screen that used to be fairly common on Windows PC's? How many YEARS did it take Microsoft (which was only the biggest player in the PC game) to get that sorted out? Just because you spent a lot of money doesn't mean you won't have glitches. I know of a company running PeopleNet that has experienced the same problem with the ELD changing the log to line 3 as is occurring with other "less expensive" ELD's. I've also read the reviews...both the initial ones back in December as well as more recently here in the past couple days for the one I paid $250 to buy outright with NO monthly fee. It has quite a few 1-star reviews, but those are people who didn't update their GPS (and therefore couldn't connect to it) or bought the thing to run in a pickup truck that lacks the 6 or 9 pin plug to connect it to complaining that it wouldn't plug it. The people who could actually read and follow instructions, though, were providing some pretty good reviews. I would imagine many of the problems people are having with their other devices are similar in nature...connectivity issues because they are trying to have the same phone paired with both the ELD (to keep legal logs) AND their head set (to be legal when on the phone) and it just isn't working. I tried to get my phone to connect to both my GPS and my headset and it wouldn't...either/or, but not both. Unless you're going to have a dedicated device specifically for the ELD, you're increasing the likelihood of experiencing issues with the bluetooth connection.

I could replace my Garmin dezl570 AND the ELD plug every quarter for the first year and have the same operating expenses as running PeopleNet or Onmitracks for the first year...then I could replace them again every year going forward and STILL come out ahead of where I'd be paying for their service. Considering my old 465T lasted a good 13 years, I doubt I'll be replacing either anywhere near that often. You can feel free to p!$$ your money away however you choose...but the money I save each month running the system I chose is enough to take my wife & kid out someplace nice. I work to live, not the other way around.

 

That's Because its too expensive!! I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THAT.

Lotta drivers and owner-ops don't have that in there budget to buy a Stand-Alone Logging unit for $599 dollars and then pay a monthly fee to go with it.

I Tried the "App" thing,Didn;t read my trucks engine.

Im Reluctant to spend a Dime More with this ELD Garbage, And Many others are in agreement.

 

I've tried RM eld50 cause it was cheap. It wasn't working properly and now I'm forced to spend close to $1000 for Zonar that my company is using. The way I look at it, if it works without problems it will be worth it to me as I won't have to worry about cheap app crashing on my phone and erasing my logs like it happened to many people with Rand McNally ELD50 (junk)
Last thing I want to do is get OOS violation with cheap app and that will cost me much more time/money if Im put OOS due to malfunctioning "plug in" ELD.

 

I was just at a conference for an association of carriers my company belongs to. In attendance that day on the panel was a regional division administrator for FMCSA. He told us they are still doing training regarding ELDs and will be for quite awhile.

 

Make sure to thank a Werner driver when you see one.

 

Personally, I no issue whatsoever with ELD's; it's all I've ever known. I run efficiently, safely, and profitably. However, I feel bad for the guys who, for whatever reason, decided that this wasn't going to happen, and when it did got caught off guard.
Lesson learned: if the ATA is pushing something, pay attention, (read sleep apnea and CMS systems).