ELD Devices For Sale in 2023 (Best Prices)

Looking for ELD Devices For Sale?

Truck drivers are now looking for ELD Devices for sale.

ELD devices come in various shapes, sizes and formats. The devices have different features and capabilities. The device manufacturers range from small firms to industry giants.

Let’s try to make sense of the enormous amount of information.

Types of ELD Devices For Sale At This Time

Originally, many high-tech companies promoted ELD devices under the term E-LOGS. Those were On-Board Electronic Recorders (AOBRDS) that use outdated technology. According to the FMCSA, AOBRDS and ELDS have different technical specifications.

The primary issue with the outdated electronic loggers is the lack of connection with the engine’s computer. Further, those units depend on the driver to manually enter duty modes and locations. Also, those units cannot send the information via current technology such as wireless networks and Bluetooth.

The market is flooded with ELD Devices for sale. However, only certain devices meet the Federal Motor Carrier’s strict guidelines.

There are a few vital elements. The first and most important element is the ability of the ELD device to connect to the vehicle’s computer.

Second, the device must be able to send the stored data via new technology(wireless/Bluetooth).  Finally, the device must display the data in a graphic format. To determine which ELD devices are currently compliant, a checklist must be used.

The larger ELD manufacturers are Garmin, Motive (formerly Keep Truckin)’, JJ Keller, Linxup, and Omnitracts. Many newcomers are entering the ELD market every day. A complete list of approved ELD Manufacturers can be found on the Federal Motor Carrier Agency’s website.

Most Popular: Keep Truckin ELD Device (Now Motive)- The Market Leader

There are many great things about the Motive (formerly Keep Truckin) ELD. However,  the most attractive quality, though, is its price. In addition to that, the device is super user-friendly.

The Motive (formerly Keep Truckin) ELD device offers monthly pricing like most ELD units. Therefore, you might be waiting for us to tell you about the upfront cost of the product. The great news is there is none!

Features of Motive (formerly Keep Truckin) ELD Device

Easy Operation

Motive (formerly Keep Truckin) ELD can be considered the Easiest ELD in the world: provides a very easy, modern and simple app. The app allows editing of drivers logs. Furthermore, the driver may change the duty status easily.

ELD Device Cheating

Some of my drivers are still using their old Motive (formerly keep trucking) app. I have been told by some drivers that using the old app without an ELD device connected to the truck will allow drivers to cheat on their electronic logs.  In other words, the driver will be able to change the past duty status even for driving.

Nowadays, this app would be labeled as ELD device cheating. When drivers tell me about the possible Motive (formerly keep trucking) eld cheat, I laugh. It is very funny because Motive (formerly Keep Truckin) published an ELD cheat sheet on how to avoid ELD violations.

DOT Inspection Mode:

The DOT inspection mode in the app is very easy to use out of all of the ELD devices. The driver can show the log history information to dot enforcement officers in a matter of seconds.

Send Photos:

If a driver were to get in an accident, they would need to take pictures.

Keeping this need in mind, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) has assured that drivers can use ELD Devices to take pictures. Those pictures would be of accident sites or other situations where a picture would help the driver with an insurance claim.

They can even send the pictures to dispatch through the app.

Advanced Telematics Features

In addition to the standard features provided by every company, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) has added some advanced features to the ELD devices menu. For example,  geofencing, fuel monitoring, tampering alerts, and engine diagnostics.

Already satisfies ELD mandate: while most companies claim that they will satisfy the mandate before the due date, it is important to note that Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) has already satisfied it.

Check our Motive (formerly Keep Truckin) ELD full review for further information…

Runner Up: Garmin eLog ELD Device (No Monthly Fee)

About Garmin Elog Compliant ELD Device

A company is well known for its focus on GPS tracking, navigation, data recording, and data sharing technology.
Furthermore, Garmin is at the lead of the pack when it comes to creating integrated, high-quality ELD devices.

In the short run, Garmin will likely be more expensive, since the ELD comes fully loaded with all of the software, without the need for extra fees or subscriptions.

This eld unit is one of the most popular eld units. Furthermore, it provides a great eld option for owner-operators.

Most other truckers choose this as one of the best eld options.  In the long run, the Garmin may pay for itself—and its many other premium features may be worth your while as well.

Technical Specifications

The Garmin eLog™ will fit any standard 6 or 9 pin data port. Installation is simple, and it begins working as soon as you plug it in. Besides the eLog™ being compatible with a range of other Garmin devices, the proprietary software also allows you to connect your eLog™ system to a GPS-enabled tablet or smartphone.

Garmin Elog Durable Design and Compatibility

The device is designed to last. The 2.5 oz. the cylindrical device comes in a sleek black outer shell. The device data is accessible both from USB and through Bluetooth for quick sharing.

The eLog™ also connects and can share driver data with a variety of Garmin GPS units from the dēzl™ series. This means that the driver can receive personalized updates and reminders for breaks and remaining time, all integrated as well through the smartphone/tablet app.

The eLog™ costs about $249.99 through the Garmin website. While Garmin currently has only one model of ELD, there are several different Garmin GPS models compatible with the eLog™, each ranging in price from $299.99 to $499.99.

This gives Garmin a highly personalized experience, giving priority to driver ease with a friendly user-centered experience.

FMSCA Compliance

As per the FMSCA mandate, Garmin stores information regularly at different intervals.

The times-sheets and data sets meet the formats specified by the FMSCA. These time sheets are available to safety officials and administrators via USB and Bluetooth.

However, presenting the data via a time-sheet on the smartphone app is sufficient for satisfying the safety officer’s viewing requirements.

Since most of the information is recorded automatically (engine start time, driving timesheets, resting periods, and engine/vehicle data), that’s less work for the driver, and overall less time spent with safety officials and more time getting things done.

The disadvantage of Garmin Elog: Less Fleet Management Compliance

While this ELD meets every FMSCA mandate, it does not go much further than that. Of course, the device supplies a variety of manuals and tools to help you learn to use it, but it does not have much training material.

Also, since this is a relatively new product, some software features are still forthcoming, such as Driver Vehicle Inspection Reporting and International Fuel (DVIR) Tax Agreement (IFTA) reports.

On the bright side, when these features become available, they will be extremely useful, but they are not quite there yet.

Another Shortfall: Customer Service and Fewer Support Documents

Another supposed disadvantage is customer service hours. Garmin offers customer product support hours on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., rather than 24 hours paid customer support that other ELD providers offer.

Another thing Garmin glaringly lacks is compatibility with Fleet Management System (FMS) software, or its proprietary fleet management software.

Now, that is okay if you are an individual contractor or if your company does not use FMS; it still meets every FMSCA requirement.

However, this could be an issue if your company requires closer tracking, auto-syncing over Wi-Fi/4G with company systems, and constant GPS reports.

Final Shortcoming: Some Technical Specifications are Missing or Unclear

A final issue with the eLog™ is that Garmin seems a little unclear about some of the technical specifications. For example, memory and data storage.

Further, nowhere under the specifications under the product description on their website does Garmin specify how much storage space the eLog™ has. Also, it does not mention how long each report and timesheet is stored on the eLog™ device.

Rather, it is assumed that timesheets and data are available online and through the app for a long enough duration for the driver to supply timesheets to employers within the required 13 day period, as specified in the mandate.

For this reason as well as other reasons, the Garmin eLog ELD meets and exceeds all standards set by the FMSCA.

Check our Garmin ELD full review for more info.

Third Selection: Stoneridge EZ-ELD Device

The Stoneridge EZ ELD has all the bells and whistles. Capable of storing up to six months of data (and immediately accessible to law enforcement for up to eight days of data), it’s clear that the EZ is focused on quality and technical capabilities.

The device itself comes with nearly everything that the eLog™ does. While the eLog™ focused on driver satisfaction, usability, and cross-platform functions, the EZ ELD goes a step further. Unlike other ELD devices, it provides full integration with Stoneridge FMS software.

This means that so long as you have a data or internet connection, all data can be continually sent, stored, and analyzed in a “back office” computer.

Besides that, the device itself looks more or less the same—a small black encasement with a red ring around the edge, rather than a blue.

However, the EZ comes with more connecting capability, offering in the package a selection of all the adapters you can need.

Fleet Management Software

While Garmin is a huge company that focuses on a wide variety of services, Stoneridge is a little more focused when it comes to CMV equipment and fleet management.

This means that Stoneridge is aware of the needs of not only the driver but the company as a whole.

This is why Stoneridge makes it easier for management to access, copy, store, and modify data as need. It also means that back-office teams are to send working logs directly to each device, assuming that the devices are connected to the internet via the Android/Apple app.

As for the app, it is also fully functional and capable of storing, distributing, and viewing files for up to six months, and viewing timesheet calendars for up to 30 days at a time.

Reporting and Service Quality

Stoneridge’s online resources are also a bit more extensive, with more training materials, manuals, and FAQs than was available on the Garmin site.

Stoneridge also claims to offer free training, which is worth taking advantage of, although they also claim that their products are extremely easy to use and require very little training.

Besides that, Stoneridge is also further ahead of where reporting is concerned; they offer free Driver Vehicle Inspection (DVI) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) reporting as part of the package, and it’s already available.

As a whole, Stoneridge offers tons more features than Garmin—the EZ ELD is a product streamlined to service an entire company. Perhaps best of all is that the ELD device itself only costs $169—but that’s not the only cost.

Lower Monthly Costs

While Stoneridge claims there are “No hidden costs,” they do make it loud and clear what other costs exist. The ability to use the proprietary software requires a monthly subscription of 15 dollars (a discount offered for a yearly subscription).

While the software still will likely save your company costs in man-hours it would normally take to fill forms, submit documents, and exchange information, the is still high compared to the Garmin.

With the Garmin, you only need to make a one-time purchase, which includes all the software and data needed to comply with new mandates.

Over three years, you will pay up to $370 more per driver for the Stoneridge than the Garmin. However, when accounting for the costs saved in man-hours and reporting, it’s up to each fleet to determine if the cost will reap benefits.

Check our full Stoneridge EZ-ELD review.

Our Fourth Choice:  Blue Ink BIT ELD Device

The most suitable ELD out there for the smaller fleet. The bit eld is one of only a few eld devices that come with no monthly costs / ongoing subscription.

Unlike the other no monthly cost providers, the bit eld has many advanced features. Furthermore, this simple product is one to try out if you’re looking for value.

It gets the job done and just because it doesn’t come with as many advanced features as all the others above, doesn’t make it any less capable.

For the low upfront price is $295. However, since it comes with no monthly cost –it can’t get any better.

There are many pros of the ELD are listed below.

Simple To Install:

The installation takes no time since it is simple plug-and-play. All you have to do is plug the dongle straight into the vehicle’s diagnostic port, and that’s it.

After that, you connect your phone to the device via Bluetooth.

ELD Mandate Compliance

While many companies haven’t yet satisfied the ELD mandate but claim that they will do so before the due date, BIT ELD offers the full and simple ELD mandate compliance without any extra features.

Expected Updates:

While the current BIT ELD is simple and only has the base features, updates are planned to improve it in the future. These include IFTA mileage tracking and a more detailed every-minute GPS tracking and history.

Perfect For Smaller Fleets

Since the BIT ELD offers base functions, it is ideal for smaller fleets. Those don’t require as many advanced functions. Those are more than happy to spend so little and receive everything they need in return.

Fifth Best: Rand McNally ELD 50® E-Log Device

The Rand McNally ELD 50 has a seemingly unlimited number of features. However, you will never know how much these features cost because Rand McNally is very vague about pricing for subscriptions or software beyond the price of the ELD itself.

Pricing and Efficiency

The benefits of this ELD device include the ease of installation and the software. This device costs only $149.99, making it a little bit cheaper than Stoneridge’s device. In addition, it requires a monthly subscription.

Beyond the standard mandated capabilities, the ELD 50 is also capable of generating advanced DVIR reports and stores immense amounts of information on the metrics and functions of the vehicle.

Some of the data it measures and stores can be useful and cost-effective, such as fuel efficiency readings and fluids.

Subscription Information

The sales webpage describes all of the available features for this device. In the fine print, it mentions that all of these features are only available once you purchase the subscription to the DriverConnect web portal.

You can only access the web portal only after you have purchased, installed, and registered the ELD 50 with an android device.

Only once all that is set up can you purchase the web service, making the cost of the subscription a mystery until then.

However, fleets and businesses can contact Rand McNally for quotes and product demonstrations for the proprietary fleet management software and service, but it makes it a little worrisome that Rand is less up-front about the cost of the services they provide.

Rand McNally ELD Offers Great Focus on Service

This service seems more fleet-centered than driver-centered. The ELD device itself is relatively easy to install.

However, it can only hold up to one day’s worth of data at a time, compared to EZ ELD’s six-month data storage capability.

This means that Rand McNally’s ELD 50® relies completely on the software subscription to function.

Also, if an android phone does not connect within that one-day window, then the data does not back up and earlier data is deleted. This can present difficult situations if the driver were ever to lose his phone or android device.

On the bright side, if a subscription is purchased, the online portal supplies storage for all data, timesheets, and metrics, making up to 6 months’ worth readily available from any android device.

So, while there are many perks to Rand McNally’s ELD if you decide to go with this device be prepared for the possibility of some unknown costs.

Check our Rand McNally e-Log review.

Our Sixth Choice For ELD Device: LINXUP

If you’re interested in having a full package of GPS and tracking, integrated data plan, certified ELD device with automated IFTA reporting, and backend fleet management resources, then maybe LINXUP ELD is the best option for you.

LINXUP differs from other carriers in several important ways. For one, they are not BYOD—bring your device.

This means that rather than relying on the drivers to supply their own Android or Apple devices to sync and share information with the ELD, it is necessary to also purchase the LINXUP proprietary tablet.

LINXUP Difference

LINXUP claims that by requiring the device to include a tablet can lower compliance risks and increase profits.

With BYOD systems, normally your driver brings his/her cellphone or tablet to record ELD information and access timesheets and RODS.

In this situation, what happens if your driver forgets to pay a cellphone bill? This could mean late data, lost GPS information, and more hassle. The integrated package brings the responsibility back to the administrator’s hands, allowing them certainty that you will always be able to receive your needed data.

The LINXUP Equipment Costs

The ELD device costs about $149.99, competing easily with the Rand McNally ELD. The GPS tablet costs $149.99 as well, bringing the total equipment cost to about $300—quite a bit more than any of the other providers so far. After you’ve purchased the equipment, you must then purchase a monthly plan. LINXUP has three options.

LINXUP Plan Options

The first $29.99/month plan, which handles all of the basic mandates, allows drivers to share information, timesheets, vehicle data, metrics, etc.

The second plan, at $39.99, offers GPS services and tracking services, but also gives the user or fleet the ability to harness backend software for additional fleet management services. The third option, costing $49.99 per vehicle, is premium, offering all the previous features plus IFTA automated reporting services.

Price and Services Comparison

Compared to Konexial, Rand, Stoneridge, and Garmin, LINXUP has the most expensive plan. The most basic plan costs more than twice the price of Stoneridge’s premium plan; Stoneridge offers IFTA and DVIR reporting for half the price, as well as full back-office fleet management services.

Coaxial also has premium services, but again, their premium service costs $20 less per month than LINXUP. Minus the cost of equipment, LINXUP will cost about $600 per year per vehicle for their premium service.

However, while you are paying more through LINXUP, you are still paying significantly less per year than some of the most expensive services. And while you are paying more, LINXUP still has something more to offer; you are paying for one of the best and most experienced companies in the GPS tracking business.

LINXUP ELD Devices Offer GPS Integration

LINXUP focuses on creating products that offer a high level of security for its clients. With the integrated ELD and GPS, you can be certain that you will always know exactly where your resources and shipments are.

Their integrated system increases efficiency by reducing the possibility of driver-related data transmission error while placing fewer burdens of responsibility on the driver. This allows the driver to focus more on what’s most important.

So, if you own a fleet or business that requires great tracking, GPS, and security need, or if you ship high-risk or expensive materials, then perhaps LINXUP is your best option.

Our 7th Choice: Magellan ELD – HOS eLog with J1939 Cable

Magellan has taken a unique approach to its ELDs by partnering with another company, Samsung, to create integrated systems similar to LINXUP systems.

Magellan’s systems use a Samsung Tablet, connected securely to the ELD, in basically the same way that LINXUP does with their tablet/GPS and ELD.

Hardware and Software

However, Magellan also offers BYOD capabilities—something that LINXUP does not do—so long as the device, you’re using is Samsung.

In their product description for the eLog, Magellan is not clear where or how you can download the application used with the ELD, nor do you keep a list of devices that are compatible with the device.

Magellan does make it clear that you can order a Samsung galaxy device (either tablets or smartphones) with all of the software pre-installed, which could be convenient depending on your needs.

Additionally, Magellan’s ELD is accessible by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, phone, and USB, making certain that your ELD is accessible in any situation.

Costs and Benefits

Magellan, like so many other ELD providers, claims to have the lowest costing ELD device and software. According to their website, the ELD currently sells at a discounted rate of approximately $120 (or $150, which includes DVIR and IFTA reporting), which is a lot cheaper than any of the other devices here, save for the My20 by Konexial.

However, what makes Magellan cheaper than Konexial, in this case, is that there is no subscription fee for the first whole year of service.

After that, the service fee is only $10 per month—cheaper even than Stoneridge’s $15 per month. This $10 per month service also includes both back-office fleet management software as well as all mandated driver software and necessities.

Also, unlike Stoneridge, LINXUP, and so many other providers, Magellan also offers a range of other fleet management solutions, from separate fleet navigation systems to proprietary GPS displays, each capable of working with back-office software as well.

Important Things to Remember When Buying ELD devices 

Costs

If you think that the ELD device is super expensive, then don’t worry about it. All ELDs aren’t as expensive as you think they are, that’s just a huge misconception.

The older already existing ELD devices were expensive. However, due to new technology the new devices are much more affordable.

Instead, many ELD manufacturers have now started to offer their products in economical packages. They do that to make them more affordable and easier to buy for their customers.

one of ELD devices can help lower your crash rates. It helps save all the time you would otherwise have spent organizing logs. Once you think about all these benefits and more, you’ll realize that an ELD device is definitely worth the price!

Compliance with Mandate

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new rule, all truckers need to make use of ELD devices.

Further, the driver cannot use any ELD device as he/she pleases.

The FMCSA  has a list of all registered ELD devices, and the driver must choose an ELD from this list.

The easy way to ensure compliance is to review the mandate’s specifications.  Those specs are publicly available.

Another very important thing to find out is: whether or not the ELD device is synchronizing with the engine data. It is paramount to check with the manufacturer about the ELD and what you can expect from it.

Most of the famous ELD devices already satisfy the mandate. All those that don’t satisfy it claim that they will release software updates before the mandate’s compliance date, i.e., Dec. 18, 2017, and these updates will satisfy the mandate without requiring any new-hardware purchases.

A Smartphone Isn’t Enough to Replace an ELD

If you’re not willing to buy an ELD device, then there’s a simple solution. One can turn your phone into a compliant ELD. But don’t get too excited just as yet. Many people believe that a smartphone can be an ELD Device.

A smartphone all on its own isn’t enough to replace an ELD device. Yes, a smartphone may indeed serve as an ELD device. However, a connection with the truck engine is paramount.

An ELD device is an important addition. Finally, a smartphone by itself is not a substitute for any of the ELD devices.

According to the ELD mandate, an ELD must directly connect to the truck’s diagnostic port. Unfortunately, smartphones are not directly connected to the port. Therefore, smartphones are not passing for functional ELDs by themselves.

If you really do want to use your phone,  you’ll have to spend some serious money. The expensive hardware will attach the Smartphone directly to the truck’s diagnostic port.  Buying anyone of the ELD devices is less expensive. Simply think of it as an investment because it will surely help you a lot in the longer run.