Given the rapidly approaching deadline for ELD implementation being mandatory and the fact that it doesn’t look as though a “Hail Mary”is going to be had in the final seconds before the buzzer, I find myself contemplating more frequently my options for compliance. Not wanting to wait until the last minute when demand inflates the prices and availability of the best units becomes sparse, I think it is in my best interest to narrow down my list of possible options early.
Of course there are your better-known brands out there that are already putting out their products as "final rule compliant" and their products are already proven to work very well with today's trucks when it comes to their plug-and-play nature. Given some introductions of new units as of late, my confusion and contemplation in the ELD department has me weighing the options between units with lower up-front costs/higher monthly fees and those with higher up-front costs and lower monthly fees, or even no monthly fees.
The rate at which technology becomes obsolete these days is astounding. Just like computers, smartphones and tablets, I am slightly afraid that the investment into the wrong system at this point could lead to that same technology being a "dinosaur" by the time the hammer of the final rule becomes reality for everyone. With new apps and devices being announced all the time now that we are coming down to the wire, it makes this difficult decision that much more stressful.
I will admit that I still have my eyes set on the VDO Road Log, partly due to its ease of use and "print on the dash" option to recap your previous seven days. It is also nice that it is the only unit I have found without a monthly subscription fee for its basic ELD usage. With the rapid development of this technology now being undertaken by some HOS heavy-hitters in the industry and their leaning towards finally wanting to help “the little guy”, there is still that little part of me waiting to see what new units make it onto the market prior to the deadline. What are some of your plans for the swiftly approaching compliance date in December?