Category: What’s New (Page 2 of 2)

The ELD mandate is here – requiring every commercial truck operating on US highways and roads to have an electronic logging device to record hours of service. Your phone or tablet has gone from a personal device to a required device for every trucker, causing the need for a method of mounting your smartphone or tablet while your vehicle is in motion.

We have a wide selection of cupholder mounts, no-drill mounts, suction cup mounts, and more at our website below.

www.MountMyMonitor.com/ELD_Mounts

About the ELD Mandate

In 2012, the United States Congress enacted the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill, or, more commonly referred to as MAP-21. That bill included a provision requiring the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to develop a rule mandating the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). In its simplest form, an electronic logging device is used to electronically record a driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS), which replaces the paper logbook some drivers previously used to record their compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) requirements.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/FMCSA-ELD-Final-Rule_12-10-2015.pdf

Electronic Logging Devices: What You Need to Know

Many drivers and fleets were using automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDs). While differences among these devices abound, they share a few elements in common:

• They track a driver’s Hours of Service electronically
• They need to be “integrally synchronized” with a truck’s engine, making sure drive segments are captured
• Most pass data to a system where a safety or fleet manager can see e-logs in a near real-time basis, allowing everyone to be on the same page

Trucks and fleets that have installed ELDs in their commercial motor vehicles can monitor and record an abundance of data about the vehicle and its driver that goes beyond RODS including Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) and IFTA automation, driver behavior reporting on speeding, idling and hard breaking, and integrated maps with route solutions to help drivers navigate around construction and avoid high-traffic areas. Many fleets are already seeing the benefits of ELDs:

• Save driver time by reducing paperwork
• Keep a dispatcher up-to-date on a driver’s status, letting them plan for loads better in light of HOS compliance needs
• Reduce the hassle of keeping a paper log – something that e-log converts never want to return to.

However, ELD’s should not be confused with AOBRD’s (Automatic On-Board Recording Devices), which are automated and verifiable, but many do not meet the mandate’s requirements. If you are still currently using an AOBRD, it is suggested that you check for its compliance or upgrade to an ELD compliant device, as the deadline has passed. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) began officially issuing penalties for non-compliance back in April of 2018. ELD non-compliance can lead to several issues, from fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to being issued violations that puts drivers out of service. Don’t let you or your drivers get caught roadside in non-compliance.

Are You and Your Fleet ELD Compliant?

The FMCSA is very specific about their requirements for Electronic Logging Devices. In addition to the proper ELD device, your fleet should also have access to the following at all times:

• The operational manual.
• Instructions for the type of data transfer tools used for your device.
• Instructions for what to do in the event of an ELD malfunction.
• A back-up supply of paper for printing RODS graphs for at least eight days.

Here’s what’s also required of your ELD device by the FMCSA:

• It must use telematics technology or local transfer of data. You can use either or both of these two options when transmitting data via ELD software. Telematics technology allows for electronic transmission of data to an authorized safety official by web-based services or e-mail. The local transfer option allows for the transmission of ELD data via USB 2.0 or Bluetooth technology. In the case of an ELD compliance safety investigation, the data must be viewable by authorized safety officials via printout or a digital display.
• It must make automated entries. ELD compliant devices must begin tracking and recording driver activity automatically. The dated Automatic On-Board Recording Devices must be manually set to record data at a certain speed, while ELD compliant devices start recording data and engine diagnostics when the engine is turned on. Automated entries allow for continuous recording of driver behavior and engine diagnostics data, which is very useful in successfully managing your fleet.
• It must have a duty status graph. The duty status graph is a visual display of a driver’s activities. Your ELD device must be able to populate this data in graph form on demand. It must include detailed information regarding the driver’s activity. It should generally provide data that shows when the driver is on or off duty, driving or not and their location.
• It must have the ability to make annotations and edits. An annotation to an ELD record means that you’re including a related note. An edit to an ELD record means that you’re including additional data, but not overwriting already stored data. Any edits made to ELD data must be annotated to provide an explanation about the reason for the change. Annotations and edits to ELD data must only be done in order to correct mistakes or to include missing information.
• It must have engine diagnostic data detection capabilities. ELD Devices used by commercial motor carriers must be able to detect vehicle engine diagnostics. Your electronic logging device should be able to automatically detect malfunctions, positioning, power-related data misinformation, data synchronization, etc. This ensures that data is being captured based on the driver’s activity as well as the commercial vehicle’s engine and its performance.

Mount My Monitor is Here to Help!

In 2020, the focus for the FMCSA’s ELD mandate operations seems to be on enforcement and full compliance. The transition has been gradual, as it has been five years since ELD’s have been required of CMV carriers in providing RODS. The best plan of action for forward-thinking fleet managers is to source out an easy and economical solution. In writing the ELD rule, the FMCSA is aware of the cost burden it could be putting on fleets. To address those ELD cost concerns, the FMCSA has provided that smartphones, tablets, and rugged handhelds can be used as long as the system as a whole meets ELD requirements, including a hardwired connection to the truck’s engine. As an added benefit truck drivers have found smartphones easy to use and allows them the flexibility to choose from a wide range of mobile devices.

Not only can truck drivers choose from a wide range of mobile devices they are also able to choose from a wide variety of mobile mounts. At mountmymonitor.com we work closely with top accessories providers, like RAM Mounts and The Joy Factory to ensure compatibility of varied devices with multiple mount and base designs to fit the individual needs of the fleet drivers. Built to vehicle specifications and manufactured to withstand harsh environments, you can install the ELD mount directly into a dashboard or adhere to a cup holder or dash bar or even suction cup your ELD mount to the windshield or side window.

ELD in 2020 is all about enforcement, so it’s important for you to move quickly toward compliance. Finding an industry leader, with the tools you need and service you can depend on, should be your first move!

This heavy duty monitor arm designed to support monitors weighing from 17 to 40 lbs. is ideal for heavy duty monitors and all-in-one-PCs and iMac’s in work and gaming environments. This monitor arm features gas-strut assisted arms that provide the ultimate in ergonomic support and allow the display to be adjusted effortlessly from a seated position; perfect for touch screen and sit stand environments.

Product Features Include:

• Supports a wide range of displays from 17 to 39 pounds
• Universal VESA mounting hole pattern
• Three points of articulation for gas-strut assisted full-motion display adjustment
• Display tilt, pan and landscape to portrait rotation for glare control
• Touch screen and sit-to-stand work modes
• Quick release/attachment mounting head to assist with installation and monitor replacement
• Generous cable management for power and hdmi cables
• Top-loading desk clamp and bolt through mounting options included
• Comes pre-assembled for convenience
• 5-year warranty

Purchasing your heavy duty monitor arm is easy! Simply click the link below to enter our store and add the item to your shopping cart. If you have any questions feel free to start a live chat with one of our friendly customer service agents or give us a call! We are always happy to speak with and assist our customers!

www.MountMyMonitor.com/Heavy_Duty_Monitor_Arm_for_your_PC_or_Mac

Ergonomics is more than a buzzword. It has taken a major role in our workplaces and homes to help keep us healthier and happier. Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely. In an office setting the ergonomics of the workspace is paramount. The placement of the chair, desk, keyboard, and mouse all come into play when creating an ergonomically precise work environment. However, the monitor mount ergonomics and the placement of the computer monitor is especially important.

When it comes to optimal ergonomic screen placement OSHA has some great insight. They focus on four main improvements that can be made to benefit the ergonomics of a monitor in a workspace:

1. Viewing Distance
>Sit at a comfortable distance from the monitor where you can easily read all text with your head and torso in an upright posture and your back supported by your chair. Generally, the preferred viewing distance is between 20 and 40 inches (50 and 100 cm) from the eye to the front surface of the computer screen. NOTE: text size may need to be increased for smaller monitors.

2. Viewing Angle-Height and Side to Side
>Position your computer monitor directly in front of you, so your head, neck, and torso face forward when viewing the screen. Monitors should not be farther than 35 degrees to the left or right.
>If you work primarily from printed material, place the monitor slightly to the side and keep the printed material directly in front. Keep printed materials and monitors as close as possible to each other.
>The top of the monitor should be at or slightly below eye level. The center of the computer monitor should normally be located 15 to 20 degrees below horizontal eye level

3. Viewing Time
>Rest your eyes periodically by focusing on objects that are farther away (for example, a clock on a wall  20 feet away).
>Stop, look away and blink at regular intervals to moisten the eyes.
>Alternate duties with other non-computer tasks such as filing, phone work, or customer interaction to provide periods of rest for the eyes.

4. Viewing Clarity

>Tilt the monitor so it is perpendicular to your line of sight, usually by tilting the screen no more than 10 to 20 degrees.

>Monitor support surfaces should allow the user to modify viewing distances and tilt and rotation angles.

Making these adjustments helps reduce exposure to forceful exertions, awkward postures, and overhead glare. This also helps prevent possible health effects such as excessive fatigue, eye strain, and neck and back pain.

Here at MountMyMonitor.com we strive to help you create the healthiest work environment possible, offering only the best monitor mounts designed with monitor mount ergonomics in mind. We have a huge selection of mounts that can put your computer screen virtually anywhere! The majority of our monitor mounts are height and depth adjustable and have a large tilt range. Making them easy for multiple users to adjust them to their optimal ergonomic position. We also offer mounts that can be displayed in either portrait or landscape monitor orientations and can support multiple monitors.

Ergonomics is important for your health. We are here to help you find the perfect mount for your needs. Visit our website at www.MountMyMonitor.com or contact us today to upgrade your computing environment! Did you find this article helpful? Please leave us your comments, we would love to hear from you!

As consumers, we don’t like to get bogged down by the technical jargon of our purchases. However, every now and then a term pops up that is crucial for us to understand. In the world of mounts, that term is VESA.

What is VESA

What exactly does VESA mean? Why is it so important to you, the consumer? In our fast paced world of advancing technology and ever slimming, increasingly lightweight monitor screens, there has been a growing desire to mount these screens to walls, ceilings, desks and more! To meet that need mount manufacturers began working in tandem with monitor manufacturers. Monitor Manufactures agreed to follow standards created by the Video Electronic Standards Association (VESA for short) to create holes in the back of our flat panel displays. These holes  line up with holes in the mounts we purchase that are universal and easy for us, as consumers, to use. It’s important to understand that although VESA is widely recognized it is NOT law.

How does it work

Now that you know what VESA means maybe you’d like to know how it works? Our store clearly lists the VESA compatibility dimensions that our mounts adhere to. For example, you might be looking at purchasing a wall mount for your home office computer monitor. You browse our store and find just the right one, the Systema Wall Mount. In the description of the product, you notice the bullet point, VESA Compatible: 75×75 and 100×100. You now know what VESA means but what about those numbers? Those numbers represent the space between the holes, measured in millimeters, on the back of your monitor. For an accurate fit, before you hit that “buy” button, make sure you measure those holes (or VESA pattern) on the back of your flat screen. Some things to remember when measuring are:

• Measure from the center of the holes
• Measure from the furthest 4 corners holes (if there are more than 4 holes)
• Be aware of any curve on the back of the monitor that would affect mounting
• Take both horizontal and vertical measurements

Measuring can be tricky for those of us that favor centimeters over millimeters so this “cheat-sheet” might be of some help:

In our above example of the Systema Wall Mount, the VESA patterns measurements were 75×75 AND 100×100. This tells us that the mount has holes to fit a monitor with a VESA pattern of both 75 millimeters by 75 millimeters and 100 millimeters by 100 millimeters. It’s that simple! The measurement of the VESA pattern, along with the size and weight of your monitor, is all you need to confidently purchase the perfectly fitted mount for your needs.

For the MAC users

VESA is widely recognized but is NOT law, as mentioned before.  Apple products do not offer VESA hole patterns on their monitors and iMacs. Furthermore, the native stand that comes with Apple products cannot be removed, therefore it is not VESA compatible after purchase. You can add an after-market VESA adapter to your apple display, but this adds an additional cost to the mount you’re looking for, and in many cases limits the mounting options. If you are considering a mount for a mac you are going to purchase, be sure to purchase the mac WITH A VESA ADAPTER (yes, Apple will sell you a VESA adapter for an additional cost instead of the native stand that it usually comes with) which will make the mac compatible with almost all of the mount we sell.

Still confused

We would love to help you! Please feel free to take advantage of our mount experts available by LiveChat on our Website or give us a call and we can assist you in finding the right mount for your needs! Did you find this article helpful? Leave us some feedback.