An Essential E-Logs Buying Guide for Owner Operators

Are you running a truck and commercial buses business? If yes, then no one can understand how difficult it is to manage your workforce and resources manually at the same time. But what if you could do it automatically? Well, you have read it write; with the advancement in technology, there are such devices that allow you to keep an eye on all the drivers and trucks working under your company. These devices are known as electronic logging devices (ELDs). ELDs are designed to replace paper logs.

Today, it is necessary for the trucking industry in the US to have electronic logging devices (ELDs) installed. The e-logs for owner operators helps them to carry out all their operations smoothly than before, which further improves business productivity and profit. They need not worry about whether the driver is working properly or not. This device also allows you to ensure that the drivers are following the traffic rules. All in all, this device can turn out to be a boon for truck and trailer businesses.

If you’re looking forward to using ELD devices for your trucks or trailers, then it can turn out to be the best decision you can make for your business. However, with so many manufacturers developing e-logs nowadays, it can be quite confusing to choose the one which suits your needs the best. Before you go ahead, you need to know the things you should consider and other vital tips you should keep in mind while buying the best equipment for your trucks. 

Today, in this guide, we are going to present the top 5 ZED ELD reviews and also show you a buying guide to help you out in choosing brilliant ELD devices for your trucks and trailers. These ELDs offer the best value for money features and excellent benefits, which will be worth the price you pay for. Before starting, let’s have a look at the list of top 5 ELD devices.

List of top 5 ELD devices to buy

ELD Logo ELD Name Initial Fee Monthly Fee Best Feature
Rand McNally ELD 50 $149.99 $19.99 or $24.99 6-months of logs on the Rand McNally web portal
Konexial My20 $129.99 $300 

(Annual License)

Featured with auto-pilot option for long drives
Garmin ELD $249.99 No monthly fee You can analyze the reports of the individual drivers
motive logo Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD $150 $20 or $35 Share and send push notification on important analysis and service hours
Stoneridge EZ-ELD $169 $15 Support both OBDII and OBD pins

Top 5 E-logs for Owner Operators Reviews

Rand McNally ELD 50

As an owner-operator, you must choose the right ELD for your business. The right ELD will contribute to better business and efficiency. The Rand McNally ELD 50 is one of the best ELD for owner operators that you can buy. Rand McNally has been in the industry for more than 100 years & that is why their devices are expected to be the best in the market. The brand makes full use of its long history and ensures that you get a fantastic ELD device reasonably.

It comes with a host of features that make it a unique and sophisticated device to be used. It includes Rand McNally DriverConnect app, Rand McNally DriverConnect web portal, DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report) logs. Their ability for HOS recording helps in reducing the shortage of truck drivers as drivers will get paid for all the work they do. The device is incredibly easy to install; you need not undergo any training to use it. The absence of any wires and fuses makes the process even easier for the driver to manage. All you need to do is download the Rand McNally app and connect your device with it.

The device provides a lot of information regarding the Average fuel economy, Fuel rate (Gallons per hour), Engine speed, Boost pressure, Battery voltage, and also the Oil pressure. It allows the owners to check how efficiently their drivers are working and driving their trucks. Almost 6-months of all the logs are saved on the Web Portal. The ELD allows you to electronically certify the trip data, thus preventing the use of paper significantly.

Have a look at the pros and cons of Rand McNally ELD – one of the top e-log for owner-operators.

>>Read Full Review

PROS:
  • Quick, compliant, and compact
  • Easy access to Hours of Service (HOS)
  • 6-months of logs on the Rand McNally web portal
  • Easy and quick to install
  • Customizable gauges
CONS:
  • Unreliable customer support
  • The device has a weak signal strength

Konexial My20

Konexial My20 is another fantastic ELD that can help you enjoy a lot of different functions like asset tracking, dispatching, IFTA data collection, automatic mileage tracking, etc. If you want to choose a solution that is relevant and 100% FMCSA approved, then the Konexial My20 is your final stop. The device is light in weight and very simple to use, making it really popular. Konexial has years of strong experience in the industry, which allows them to create ELD devices that have a robust build quality and other up-to-date features for the best data collection.

The My20 ELD can act as an “auto-pilot”. It is a brilliant device for those drivers who are feeling a bit dizzy after long hours of driving. The device provides you with the ability to track the number of hours your drivers have been working. Thus, making it a fantastic electronic logbook for an owner operator that you can get.

The ELD comes with brilliant features like the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR), Dynamic Load Matching (DLM), Engine Info (faults, MPGs, etc.), Fuel Information, Two-way messaging, GPS Tracking, and also Log Auditing. The integration of all these features has made the My20 ELD a favorite electronic logging device among a lot of people in the industry. That is why it has gained the second spot on our list of top e-log for owners’ operators. Here are the quick pros and cons of the device.

>>Read Full Review

PROS:
  • It is packed with plenty of features
  • User-friendly app
  • Simple to install
  • Works seamlessly well
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Inexpensive for a large fleet
CONS:
  • The app tends to change status randomly
  • Weak connection issues

Garmin ELD

Garmin is one of the top brands when it comes to ELD devices. It has some of the top features that you will need to keep track of all the trucks under your supervision. The Garmin E-Log ELD App might be the best deal that you currently require. This FMCSA-enrolled electronic logging gadget comes with a fantastic free membership that is compatible with the Garmin eLog ELD.

With the Hours of Service (HOS) recording feature, you can check the working hours of your drivers daily. The application safely stores the information on any device that can be a cell phone or tablet with working internet. When you want to access the records for examining the performance of the team or any individual driver, recover them by FMCSA web benefits via Bluetooth or use the conventional USB port drive.

The Garmin ELD requires only one-time payment that you will need to pay for & the app comes in free. It is one of the biggest selling points for the device; you do not have to pay for any monthly charge for using the device. You can get the app for download from the official website. It is easily one of the best ELDs for owner-operators that you can use and install in your trucks for the best surveillance of your fleet. However, keep in mind that you will be required to purchase a separate 16-pin to 9-pin adapter to install the Garmin eLog device that works with the Garmin eLog ELD app.

>>Read Full Review

PROS:
  • Eliminates the need of monthly fees required for operation
  • The device is easily compatible with ELDs
  • No need of manual HOS recording
  • Compatible with most smartphones
  • Work well with many Garmin dezl GPS truck navigators
CONS:
  • The device is not compatible with vehicles having OBD2 protocol
  • There are a few glitches in the software which can create some issues
  • The device notifies you when vehicle is moving above 5mph

Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD

The Motive ELD is one of the most affordable and efficient ELD devices that you can use to manage a large fleet without any hassles. This e-logs for owner-operators is preferred by the people not only because of its cheap price but due to the addition of so many exciting features such as Messaging, IFTA fuel tax reporting, Customizable vehicle inspections, Log auditing, Vehicle diagnostics, Geofencing, Driver scorecards, Driver coaching workflow, GPS tracking, Asset tracking, and Idle time tracking.

Apart from this, the Motive ELD is considered as one of the top three ELD devices because of great technical support and cost-effective compliance. With so many brilliant features, the ELD becomes a really good option for many fleet owners who wants the most sophisticated device for usage. It is beneficial for drivers as well because truckers need not worrying about to have their hours tracked.

Once the device is connected with the concerned vehicle, it will start sharing all the important stats to any Android or iOS devices. The device is a one-time purchase & the app is also free of cost. It is one of the best-rated e-log apps that you can use currently in the market.

However, the installation of the Motive ELD is a bit complicated when compared to other devices. You will need a standard 9-pin, 6-pin, and the OBDII diagnostic ports for Motive plug-in. The company offers different size categories, including – 1-5, 6-24, 25-49, 50-99, and 100+. Here are the top pros and cons of this ELD.

>>Read Full Review

PROS:
  • Easily complies with the ELD mandate.
  • Fantastic customer service support is always available 24/7.
  • It allows dispatch to view logs, make necessary edits.
  • The device and the app both are straightforward and easy to use.
  • Drivers can easily log their HOS automatically into the app.
CONS:
  • Logs can be edited easily during dispatch
  • The installation is a headache

Stoneridge EZ-ELD

Stoneridge is one of the top digital tachographs in the industry with more than 60 years of experience. The Stoneridge EZ-ELD is a reliable and efficient ELD that can be used to manage a fleet of trucks that are more than 50 in number. It efficiently helps the drivers to track, manage, and share RODS (records of duty status) data from their trucks.

Due to the integration of the multiple adapters, the device can be easily used in trucks that have OBDII OBD, 6-pin, or 9-pin port. Some of the USP of this device includes the presence of an unlimited number of drivers per device UI via mobile app, compatible with both Android and Apple iOS devices, a cost-effective and easy way to manage a fleet, and a tamper-resistant construction for enhanced security. The Stoneridge electronic logbook for an owner operator is surely one of the most trusted ELDs available in the market.

>>Read Full Review

PROS:
  • Secure and stress-free
  • 3-on-board interchangeable diagnostic connectors
  • 6-months of data storage on the device
  • Quick and simple plug-and-play installation
  • Intuitive user interface
CONS:
  • Weak connection issues
  • It has an odd tendency to throw multiple QR codes at once
  • Inefficient customer service

Buying Guide

best eld for owner operatorsWhile these top 5 E-Logs for Owners Operators are the best ELD devices you can purchase, if you are not sure whether these devices will meet your needs or not and want to buy some other ELD device, then you can consider the following things while making a purchase. Keeping these factors in mind will help you choose the device which will suit you the best. Without wasting much time, let’s get started.

BYOD vs. Dedicated e Log Solution

The very first thing you need to consider while purchasing an ELD is whether you need a BYOD or Dedicated vehicle E-Log solution. Both of them come with their own set of advantages. BYOD solutions are flexible and familiar to the drivers, they are much more cost-effective & most importantly, they are easy-to-use and have simple UI. On the other hand, dedicated E-logs come with better safety features, data plans are included, and provides more value, fewer costs overall for a large fleet. Depending on the size of your fleet and the budget you can spare, you will need to choose the right category of ELD for your fleet of the truck.

Affordability

Affordability is one of the biggest factors to consider when you are purchasing an ELD. Different agencies will have their own kind of budget. It is one of the primary reasons why not all fleet agencies have an electronic logbook for owner operators. Hence, it is crucial to check on different options available in front of you and find out which one is more affordable. If you are new in the business, then go for a cheaper solution instead of spending a fortune on a premium and high-quality ELD.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Make sure that the device you are going to install on your vehicle will provide a good return on the investment. It can take a lot of time to get the returns if you are new to the industry or your business is going down. Hence, it is necessary to check whether you can manage to get a good return or not if you are planning to install a specific ELD device. If you think it will not be possible, then go for any other available options.

Best features of e-logs for owner-operators 

Regardless of what your budget is or the size of the fleet you have, most ELD devices come with some basic yet the most important features. Here are some really vital features you need to check when buying ELD devices:

  • Ability to transfer data
  • Preventing drivers from interacting with the device 
  • GPS tracking 
  • Automatic changes in a duty status
  • Log edit suggestions for fleet managers
  • Special driving statuses
  • Unidentified driving

So, here are the most important factors that you will need to keep in mind. However, if you are still confused about how to choose the best ELD, then don’t worry. Now we are going to tell a few FAQs you should ask before buying an ELD.

FAQs to ask when buying an ELD

  • Is the ELD solution FMCSA-Certified?

There are countless numbers of ELD devices available in the market. Some of them are FMCSA certified, while some are not. The fleet management companies apply for the FMCSA certification to establish that they have guarantee compliance. Hence, before you buy an ELD device, make sure it is FMCSA-certified.

  • Can it integrate with other software?

It is one of the important factors to notice while you purchase ELDs. Your fleet management is fruitful if the ELD can be associated with other software for additional services. The partnership leads to easier management from the administration level. Hence, always check software compatibility.

  • Does it offer a user-friendly interface?

User experience is one of the key factors while you make an ELD purchase. With the truck industry being involved in various evolving technology, the drivers need to get adapted to them. Hence, always check if the device is user-friendly.

Final words

Choosing the best ELD for your fleet is crucial because there are multiple dependencies that you need to consider. However, implementing an ELD solution is important as it can lead to simplified compliance, guaranteed return of investments, and increased safety. Rushing the decision or checking for the low-price solution will lead to various consequences. Hence, before you go ahead, do maximum research to find reliable technology and a one-stop solution for your fleet management needs. Also, ask yourself the following questions before you make the purchase

  • What is my requirement?
  • What is the expected cost?
  • How do I select the right fleet?
  • Whether I will be able to improve my business by investing in ELD or not?
  • Have I found the right vendor?

Make sure to check every point that we have discussed in this article so that you can select an ELD that will suit your agency the most. Also, don’t forget to check our reviews for the top 5 e-log for owner-operators currently in the market. For more information, explore the internet.

ELD Logo ELD Name Initial Fee Monthly Fee Best Feature
Rand McNally ELD 50 $149.99 $19.99 or $24.99 6-months of logs on the Rand McNally web portal
Konexial My20 $129.99 $300 

(Annual License)

Featured with auto-pilot option for long drives
Garmin ELD $249.99 No monthly fee You can analyze the reports of the individual drivers
motive logo Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD $150 $20 or $35 Share and send push notification on important analysis and service hours
Stoneridge EZ-ELD $169 $15 Support both OBDII and OBD pins

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