Rand McNally Introduces Low-Cost, Plug-and-Play E-Log Device

Seeking to provide a simple, low-cost electronic logging option for professional drivers, Rand McNally has unveiled its new ELD 50 device, which, when paired with a driver’s existing Android phone or tablet, creates a secure compliance solution that will meet federal requirements.

The company states that “ELD 50 is the first E-Log device that: 1) installs in seconds under the dash, 2) allows drivers to use Android devices to view logs, and 3) provides access to Hours of Service and Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) logs via the Rand McNally DriverConnect web portal.”

Noted Stephen Fletcher, CEO of Rand McNally, “There are thousands of owner operators and small fleets who will now be required to implement electronic logs and face the prospect of investing in a completely new logging system. Just as we did with our truck-specific GPS devices, our goal was to provide drivers with a cost-efficient, easy-to-use option for complying with the law.”

According to the ELD mandate’s rules, published last December, drivers and fleets using paper logs and or a mix of paper logs and Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs) must be using compliant electronic logs by December 2017.

Here’s how it works: The ELD 50 is a  3 ¼-inch long device that plugs into a truck’s diagnostic port, right below the dash. Through a Bluetooth connection, the device sends Hours of Service data to the complimentary Rand McNally DriverConnect app, where drivers may view current HOS logs as well as DVIR documents.

As a bonus, the app also provides access to 10 helpful engine-driven gauges, powered by information collected by the ELD 50. The gauges include: average fuel economy, coolant temperature, and boost pressure.

Since the Android app is free, drivers can get a feel for the product by downloading the application and inputting their status manually. Those reports can be turned into PDFs and exported.

For a small subscription fee, drivers may access the Rand McNally DriverConnect web portal, where up to six months of HOS logs and DVIRs are stored. Using the web portal, drivers and fleet managers also may view vehicle locations on a map and administer functions such as adding drivers to a device

Category: Connected Fleet News, General Update