According to FMCSA, nearly every commercial motor vehicle in the United States must have an electronic logging device (ELD), making it an essential purchase if you operate a fleet. Commercial truck drivers and fleet management use ELD devices to determine hours of service (HOS). To assure safety, an ELD maintains records of duty (ROD) data from all of your cars.
Besides keeping your company legal, an ELD can measure fuel use, hard braking, and speed, which may assist your bottom line and enforce safety standards. Hence, picking the best ELD device for each fleet owner will be determined by their business needs.
Read on to learn more about ELDs and the best ones available in the market in 2023.
Table of Contents
What Exactly are ELDs?
ELD, known as electronic logging devices, is hardware gadget used by drivers of CMVs to automatically record the driving time and the Hours of Service (HOS) records. These devices also help to get data on the vehicle’s engine, movement, and distance traveled. To assist fleet compliance, inspections, and planning, the ELD keeps truck drivers and dispatchers up to date on driver status in real-time.
What are the Benefits of ELDs?
ELDs provide several advantages to carriers. Most notably, electronic tracking improves driver safety by mandating stricter adherence to Hours of Service requirements, hence minimizing driver weariness. Removing paper logbooks improves record-keeping accuracy and saves time.
Listed below are some of the benefits of ELDs:
- The safety of the driver is increased
- The records of Duty Status (RODS) keeping process is simplified
- Paperwork for drivers is significantly reduced
- Saves money and time
- The risk of errors is minimized thanks to automate tracking
- Monitors fuel usage
- Real-time data can be accessed
- Report engine fault
Best ELD Providers for Trucks In 2023
Since today’s industry is tightening its financial belt, various experts have tested and ranked the best options to figure out which ELD device is best for you and your business. Listed below are some of the best ELD providers in the industry. Compare these providers and select the best ELD for your truck:
1. Matrack
Due to its multiple characteristics, Matrack ELD can be regarded as one of the top electronic logging devices in 2023. These devices have the most affordable pricing in the market, along with a low monthly fee, no contracts, free devices, and a lifetime warranty. It is an advanced ELD with GPS-enabled real-time position monitoring, Bluetooth connectivity, voice-based ELD status modifications, and other functions.
Matrack ELD has GPS-enabled real-time tracking, Geofencing, aggressive tracking mode, and many more capabilities for a low price and no equipment expense. In addition to the durable ELD equipment, the company provides a smooth, smart, and user-friendly interface. Matrack is a popular choice for owner-operators and fleets of all sizes since it is a great mix of a wide range of ELD, tracking, and other FMS services, and it comes with solid and long-lasting, warranty-covered hardware.
2. Samsara
Samsara’s fleet management software includes a variety of options, including an app and compliance hardware. This simple software displays clear HOS data and compliance routines, ensuring that you pass inspections. Also, installing the hardware is simple, straight out of the box.
Samsara’s biggest advantage is that it provides a tailored solution for organizations rather than merely ELD compliance. Thus you may select what you require, such as GPS tracking and fuel maintenance or dispatching and equipment tracking. Samsara’s real-time visibility is common among the best ELD devices. Samsara is ideal for individuals that want more than just an ELD and require comprehensive fleet management software.
3. Garmin eLog
Several of the finest ELD devices for small fleets are free or inexpensive. This is exactly what Garmin ELD offers to the table. Minimal or no cost relieves your firm of the pressure of paying for a monthly data subscription. Small fleet operators would undoubtedly choose e-logs that are less expensive and do not require a monthly subscription.
Garmin eLog does not require expert installation. Therefore, you may install it in your vehicle fleet yourself install. This device is compatible with both 6-pin J1708 and 9-pin J1939 installation ports. As a result, every truck in your fleet can be fitted with this gadget. The Garmin app is compatible with all GPS devices and works on iOS and Android smartphones, and is a compliant ELD that is among the top e-log solutions available.
The app monitors hours of service (HOS), driver duty status, and fuel consumption. Garmin eLog is a wonderful option for anyone who wants to maintain fleet compliance, especially if you don’t want to incur any continuing expenditures.
4. Konexial My20
Konexial is a leading ELD supplier in the e-log sector in the United States. The monthly subscription service options offered by this ELD supplier are reasonable. In addition, the firm rents out its e-log solution hardware. While affordable, the My20 ELD is a handy and appropriate choice for electronic logging.
The device is packed with useful features for the fleet company’s productivity. And the applications are designed to improve corporate productivity by streamlining work procedures. GPS tracking, messaging, maps, real-time dynamic load matching, and reports are all available with the device.
5. Teletrac Navman
Teletrac Navman ELD goes beyond simply complying with ELD devices. Since it is a fleet management solution, you may create a software bundle that includes exactly what you want in addition to ELDs for your fleet. Their pricing can a bit difficult to know Price because the corporation does not publicize prices publicly.
A dashboard displays available driving hours, and drivers may see an agenda of usable hours and necessary breaks. You may compute IFTA taxable miles with integration to avoid paying additional taxes. You may also install dash cams that provide real-time alerts and can be used to teach drivers. Moreover, Teletrac provides on-demand and live training for its products.
Conclusion
Each ELD device on the market has pros and cons. The demands of your fleet are the key to selecting the ideal ELD solution. The above-mentioned list of providers will give you a better idea of what to choose and which device is suitable for you.
FAQs
How to choose the right ELD?
The finest ELD devices are compatible with your vehicles and your budget. Whether you run a small delivery business with a few vehicles or a major organization with hundreds of trucks in your fleet, you can find an ELD that works for you. Before you sign anything, think about the price, the features, and the scalability.
What happens when you don’t install ELDs?
A fleet will be unable to capture the HOS data required to pass a roadside inspection without an ELD. The ELD requirement took full effect on December 16, 2019. To avoid fines, practically all commercial motor vehicles operating in the United States now require ELDs. Failing to give a record of duty status may result in the suspension of a vehicle for ten hours, and the violation will be recorded on the operation’s Safety Measurement System scores.
