Garmin eLog™ – FMCSA-Compliant Electronic Logging Device (ELD)

No Monthly Fees • J1939 & J1708 Support • Plug-and-Play Compliance Solution

The Garmin eLog™ is a rugged, subscription-free Electronic Logging Device (ELD) designed for professional drivers and fleet operators who need a reliable and fully FMCSA-compliant solution for Hours of Service (HOS) tracking. With native support for both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 6-pin J1708 diagnostic ports, Garmin eLog provides a versatile, cross-compatible interface for nearly all Class 7 and Class 8 commercial vehicles on U.S. roads today.

Whether you’re operating a modern vehicle built after 2006 using SAE J1939 (CAN bus), or an older pre-2000 truck still utilizing J1708 (RS-485 serial bus) with the ATA or TMC RP1210 protocol, Garmin eLog ensures smooth and consistent logging of your driving hours. More information…

✅ Key Features & Benefits

🔌 Plug-and-Play Installation with Dual Protocol Support

Supports 9-pin SAE J1939 (CAN bus) for modern heavy-duty trucks.
Supports 6-pin J1708 (RS-485) for legacy vehicles still in service.
Automatically detects the protocol and configures accordingly.
Eliminates the need for complex wiring or manual setup.

📱 Smartphone-Based Data Storage

ELD logs are securely stored on your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet—no separate hardware or cloud subscription required.
Real-time access and display of duty status, logs, and diagnostics via the free Garmin eLog mobile app (available for iOS and Android).
Data can be reviewed, certified, and edited directly on your smart device.

📤 Effortless Roadside Inspection

Supports FMCSA Web Services over Bluetooth, enabling wireless log transmission during inspections.
Includes a USB inspection mode for wired log downloads—critical when officers require direct access.

📍 Seamless Integration with Garmin GPS Devices

Fully compatible with select Garmin dezl™ GPS navigators, creating an integrated in-cab solution that merges HOS logging with real-time routing, traffic, and break alerts.

📘 Understanding the Technical Standards: J1939 vs. J1708

SAE J1939 (CAN Bus)

Standard for vehicle diagnostics and control on heavy-duty trucks.
Used in most commercial vehicles manufactured since 2006.
Operates on a 500 kbps Controller Area Network (CAN) and is the industry standard for modern telematics and fleet management systems.
Garmin eLog reads data from the J1939 data bus including engine hours, vehicle speed, and ignition status to maintain accurate HOS records.

SAE J1708 (Serial Bus)

Predecessor to J1939, commonly found in vehicles manufactured prior to 2000.
Uses a 6-pin Deutsch connector and operates over a slower RS-485 serial interface.
Although increasingly rare, many legacy fleets and specialty vehicles still use J1708/J1587 for vehicle data access.
Garmin eLog supports this protocol for maximum backward compatibility.

⚠️ Compatibility Notice

Not compatible with vehicles using OBD-II (SAE J1979) such as passenger cars and light-duty trucks.
Volvo/Mack vehicles using a 16-pin J1962 connector require a separate adapter cable (sold separately).
Consult your vehicle’s documentation or technician to confirm diagnostic port compatibility before installation.

🛠️ Why Choose Garmin eLog?

No Monthly Fees – All features are included with the hardware. No recurring payments.
Full FMCSA Compliance – Certified to meet ELD mandate requirements.
Cross-Platform Access – Review logs on Android, iOS, or Garmin GPS units.
Trusted Brand – Built by Garmin, a global leader in navigation and GPS technology.

📦 What’s in the Box?

Garmin eLog ELD Module with integrated 9-pin and 6-pin connectors
Quick Start Guide
Free Garmin eLog mobile app (download required)

🚛 Ideal For:

Independent Owner-Operators
Small to Medium Fleets
Compliance Officers and Fleet Managers
Drivers with both older J1708 and newer J1939 vehicles in their fleet

More information…

SAE J1939 Starter Kit and Network Simulator

Our JCOM.J1939 Starter Kit and Network Simulator is designed to allow the experienced engineer and the beginner to experiment with SAE J1939 data communication without the need to connect to a real-world J1939 network, i.e., a diesel engine. It may sound obvious, but you need at least two nodes to establish a network. That fact applies especially to CAN/J1939, where the CAN controller shuts down after transmitting data without receiving a response. Therefore, our jCOM.J1939 Starter Kit and Network Simulator consists of two J1939 nodes, namely our jCOM.J1939.USB, an SAE J1939 ECU Simulator Board with USB Port.

The jCOM.J1939.USB gateway board is a high-performance, low-latency vehicle network adapter for SAE J1939 applications. The board supports the full SAE J1939 protocol according to J1939/81 Network Management (Address Claiming) and J1939/21 Transport Protocol (TP).

More Information…