6. MEMORY
No in-built memory slot.
Captured footage are uploaded on
the dashboard.
Videos can be accessed when the
camera is plugged in and running. C
7. GPS TRACKING
Gathers the drivers coordinates every
minute when the vehicle is in motion.
Requires separate plug-in and needs
to be tethered to the dash cam.
B
9. VIDEO STORAGE AND DOWNLOAD
• ELD device connects
with dash cam via Wi-
Fi and Bluetooth.
• Dash cam records videos
upon detecting a critical
event.
• Videos can be
accessed on the
dashboard by the
fleet owner.
B-
10. DASHBOARD
Simple and easy to understand layout.
Options listed neatly on left-side of
the dashboard.
The center section displays necessary
information like graphs, charts, etc.
B-
11. CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Multiple channels for customers to obtain
customer support.
Online guides.
Websites and blogs.
Email support.
Custom package privilege. C
KeepTruckin is an ELD and fleet management provider established in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, USA. In 2018, the company announced launch of its dash cam. It claims to provide a single source of safety truth for fleets.
There are three models of Smart dash cams provided by KeepTruckin:
DC 2 and DC-33 are Road facing dash cams whereas the DC-34 is both Road and driver facing dash cam.
KeepTruckin has not clearly mentioned pricing for its dash cam on the website. The lack of transparency has been highlighted by verified business owners in the review section on the website and other online portals.
During release the pricing was mentioned as $100 per unit upfront with an additional $40 a month for dashboard access. Also, the dash cam would only work as long as the truck driver also used KeepTruckin’s ELD system. We are not sure if this is still the case or not; however, having to use the KeepTruckin ELD system does make this less flexible of an option for truck drivers. Especially since KeepTruckin’s Pro ELD plan costs $35 per month as well.
Assuming all the information above is still accurate today, due to the high monthly cost and also requirement to integrate with the ELD system we have rated this platform a D on pricing.
KeepTruckin’s Smart dash cam is a compact device measuring just over 2” x 2” x 1”. The dash cam integrates directly with the KeepTruckin’s ELD device. To start recording, drivers can simply plug the dash cam via a USB port.
The KeepTruckin dash cam has a an easy installation process. It can be installed on the windshield easily by sticking it using the adhesive pad. Once mounted on windshield, the dash cam is to be connected to the KeepTruckin Vehicle Gateway using the USB cable. It offers ‘plug-and-play’ functionality. This means, upon installation, the dash cam starts auto recording the HD footage and uploading it on the KeepTruckin dash cam dashboard.
KeepTruckin’s Smart dash cam does not feature a memory slot. The videos captured by the dash cam are uploaded on the dashboard. A fleet manager or owner can access these videos when the camera is plugged in and running.
Tracking is one of the most important aspects of fleet management. KeepTruckin provides a GPS tracking system. It gathers the drivers coordinates every minute when the vehicle is in motion. However, this device is a separate plug-in.
KeepTruckin provides a dedicated software to aid the recording platform. The software provides features like two-way messaging FOR efficient communication between the driver and the fleet owner. The app can be downloaded on a smartphone device and is supported both on iOS and Android platforms. IT also provides cloud-based platform independent of any operating system.
The ELD device connects with the dash cam via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
When an ELD device records a critical event like hard braking, acceleration, corner, or an accident, 10-second high definition video before and after the event is captured.
The videos captured on the dash cam integrates to the driver’s ‘Scorecard’ section.
To access the footage, the driver has to select the ‘Events’ tab from the dashboard.
From the list of recorded events, a driver or fleet owner can select the desired footage to see the details of the event.
These include information like driver and vehicle information, time, location, speed, intensity, etc.
The videos can also be downloaded from the same window.
The vehicle location history page gives information about where a particular event occurred along with other relevant details.
This includes time, intensity, bearing, speed, etc.
The videos can be accessed by the fleet owner even when the dash cam is connected and running.
The fleet owner can retrieve video footage stored locally on the dash cam. The video should however not be associated with harsh acceleration, brake, or cornering event.
The videos are automatically tagged according to context leading up to the event.
This helps fleet managers in filtering and prioritizing the events at the time of review.
The fleet manager or admin can only retrieve video footage from previous 35 hours of driving event.
Fleet manager is notified about any removal or tampering of the dash cam.
The dashboard has a simple and easy to understand layout. The options that one might require are listed neatly on left-side of the dashboard. The center section displays necessary information like graphs, charts, etc.
KeepTruckin offers multiple channels for customers to obtain customer support. It provides online guide for installation procedure. The website also has a blog section to help the users. KeepTruckin also supports 24/7 email support. Companies that opt for Custom package get an access to premium support as a part of the package. While all this is good in theory, KeepTruckin doesn’t quite shine in this area – there are numerous reviews by verified customers that found the customer support less than satisfactory.
The reports can be customized as per the fleet owner’s requirements or preference.
Hardware and software installation is easy to execute.
The dash cam is wifi and bluetooth enabled.
The captured video can be accessed on both Android and iOS platform as well as cloud-based platform.
KeepTruckin offers a reliable dashboard with relevant and important vehicle, driver, and event information.
The dash cam natively integrates with the ELD device. The videos captures are seamlessly integrated on the dashboard
KeepTruckin lacks transparency in pricing plans.
To use a KeepTruckin dash cam, one has to pay for KeepTruckin’s Plus fleet management package. This is an added cost and not convenient for if a fleet owner does not want a full management system, or already has a good fleet management system in place.
The GPS tracking device is a separate plug-in to be tethered to the dash cam.
KeepTruckin’s customer support is fairly unreliable not dependable.
No status tracking functionality built in to the dash cam. A fleet owner will not be able to see whether a vehicle is inactive, in the garage, or out of service.
KeepTruckin’s dash cam does come with a lot of features that aid in an efficient fleet management. The installation process is simple. The software has an easy to understand interface.
If a fleet already has an ELD system in place, they still will be required to pay for the KeepTruckin’s ELD system to use the dash cam. The device does not come with a built-in status tracking feature.
Though KeepTruckin is a good option, it is wise to keep your options open when it comes to dash cams.
