We got ours installed a couple weeks ago but have used it very little because we are on vacation in Florida. I'll have more observations to share after we get back on the road. For now:
- One advantage in waiting was that we did not have to use both the log books and electronic logging as the early users did. I understand that paper DVIRs (Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports) had to be submitted for a while until electronic versions were later made possible.
- Another advantage of waiting was the cost savings. These new devices provide no significant advantage over the old ones that I have seen, but they cost $5 a week more. We got the job done with the old ones just fine.
- A third advantage of waiting was that the early units could not provide log book history beyond seven days. Readers may recall that was a big issue for Diane and me. That issue was later resolved such that six months of log book history can now be retrieved.
- We will gain no additional drive time from the new unit. We have always logged our fuel stops and made other good use of log book line 4.
- There are no safety benefits offered by these new units that cannot be achieved by other means. Proof of that can be found by comparing our carrier's SMS numbers to that of another expedite carrier that has never used electronic logging and does not intend to until legally required. That carrier's numbers are significantly better across the board.
- I am mindful of the personal conveyance discussions held here on the FCC forum a few months ago. Before saying more about that, I want to drive for a while with the new unit to see how the restrictions affect us and our ability to serve FCC and its customers.
- We are concerned about the lack of good, FCC-specific instructions pertaining to the unit. The unit's instructional videos are helpful as was the book that we received when the unit was installed, but there is a great deal missing. We would like to see a booklet developed by FCC that covers every scenario, like how to log a fuel stop, how to log a scale stop, how to log a mechanic's test drive of the truck, etc.
Failure to properly log such things could result in log violations that could otherwise be avoided. In these days of CSA points and MSS percentile rankings, the violations of one driver count against all drivers with the same carrier. With ongoing driver turnover, the better trained drivers are in the proper use of the device, the fewer violations they will have and the better off we all will be.
FCC could benefit from a good instruction booklet. By good, I mean one that is written by a skilled writer who knows in his bones exactly what it is like to drive a truck, live on the road, use the Qualcomm unit, complete a fuel stop, go through a Level 1 inspection, etc. I happen to be well acquainted with such a writer and know his consultation fees to be reasonable.
- Diane and I were careful about finding a good shop in which to have the unit installed. The Jacksonville Florida facility had a good reputation and we checked them out before making our installation appointment. The people there were willing to work with us to plan the job ahead of time on our custom-built, big-sleeper rig. They listened to my concerns and were open to coaching about where to run wires and how. I was permitted in the shop and truck to watch their every move.
- Tom the Qualcomm guy at FedEx Custom Critical was very, very helpful in the process. To my pleasant surprise, he remembered the installation issues we had five years ago when our truck was built. He was ahead of the game when it came to ordering the longer cables that were needed for our truck. He advised me ahead of time that the black box cabling was different and the new box would have to be installed in a different place. This helped us arrive at the facility fully prepared for the installation.
- At this point we have little interest in using the GPS feature. First, we have heard bad things about it from other drivers. Second, we have no need for it at all. The GPS and navigation procedures we have used for years work just fine.
- Having used the device a little bit, we find it heavier and more difficult to hold in our hands. The length and width of the new unit is smaller but it is also significantly thicker. This makes it more difficult to hold in our hands. The slide-out keyboard is also smaller, which will be a certain irritation when we are sending lengthy messages to dispatch.
- The new screen is much easier to read than the old one.
- Mounting issues will be resolved later by me. Our old unit was never mounted and stored nicely out of sight and out of the way in the space under the dash that Volvo trucks have. The new unit can be stored the same way but with a now longer cable, we are not sure what we will do.
At present, we can use it in the cab and bring it all the way to the back of our large sleeper and use it while sitting at the table there. When the fold down bed is deployed and the table self stores, we can literally take the unit to bed with us.
When we ran with the old unit, our practice was for the sleeping co-driver to take the unit as far into the sleeper as the cord would allow. If it beeped, the co-driver would deal with it while the driver continued to drive.
With the now longer cord, the co-driver won't even have to get out of bed but I wonder about sleeping through a new message. The beep of the old unit was not always welcome but it was also never missed. If the co-driver did not wake to the beep, the driver would hear it and alert the co-driver to check it out.
Right now, the too-long cord is a nuisance. We will need to experiment with the device before permanently routing it and mounting the unit if we mount it at all. I'd be interested to hear from other drivers about the new beep with the new unit. How much different is working with it than the old?
