Is it too late to purchase an ABORD device?

Not after the 18th. At least according to Mark. It's not really in AOBR mode, it just allows on to set the speed. On the 18th it will be locked to 5 mph.

 

What is a “grandfathered” automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD)?

A “grandfathered” AOBRD is a device that a motor carrier installed and required its drivers to use before the electronic logging device (ELD) rule compliance date of December 18, 2017. The device must meet the requirements of 49 CFR 395.15. A motor carrier may continue to use grandfathered AOBRDs no later than December 16, 2019. After that, the motor carrier and its drivers must use ELDs. See Section 395.15 (a) of the ELD final rule.


So no, just simply ordering it will not allow one to use AOBR mode unless it's installed before Monday.

 

Let's see.... 36 hours left, and the weekend. How about this for advice? Suck it up and plan better next time something like this comes up.
It's simply too late.
Oh you might get lucky and find an aobr in a truckstop, but it would be the only way I can see.....

 

You've had 2 years to implement it. It was mandated back in November 2015. Yes I understand wanting to wait to make sure it was going to happen. The thing is, waiting even a month till due date one should have expected having trouble getting an ELD. Everyone getting something to the last minute (and for a specialized electronics devices like an ELD, a month before implementation date is last minute) is nothing unique to trucking.

 

If they would have made the elog date on April 6th then @bullhaulerswife would have had plenty of time to receive her elog system.
Understand?

 

No. Because it they waited till around December 1st (2 weeks ago) to order for a December 18th date, they would have done the same with an April 6th date. They would have waited to order it until March 20, or whatever.
Now I'm not saying bhw would have waited, but for the vast majority of the people that waited, they would have waited no matter what the actual date is.