Explanation of costs [using MMS cameras]

kenfa04 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 24, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 333

Can someone explain how the MMS cameras work as for as sim cards and the extra cell usage costs that may be incurred? For instance if I have an I4 thru ATT would I need to add a line and another media plan?
Thanks

T-post · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 10:32 pm

Short answer: If done correctly, it'll cost you $10.00 a month.

Here's a link that explains what I did for service on my SG580 MMS; I plan on doing the same thing for my LTL Acorn MMS.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19929&start=0

code1 · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 11:12 pm

T-post is dead on ATT prepaid Go SIM 1000 text is $9.99 unlimited Text $19.99 a month end of story. Some ATT stores will give you a new SIM when you buy the first $25 prepaid card others tend to charge something for the new SIM just depends on where you go. ATT store workers tried to sell me a data plan or a $60 month unlimited plan or extra minutes I didn't need they didn't have a clue on how the MMS camera worked. One area you have to watch out is when I send to 2 different Cell number(myself and a buddy) it charges two text per picture. So after 500 pictures I would have sent my 1000 text.

outdoorsfellar · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 12:34 am

You do not need to add anything to your phone plan. All you need is a sim card & txt msg plan for your CAMERA. Your cam will have its own phone number. So just imagine it's like your cam is calling you. As said, $10 will buy you the sim card AND the 1000 a month txt msg plan. So you just need to " fill up" every month for $10 ... or $5 for 200 txt msg a month. I used that during Feb thru April. Since I've had my 580, I'm known at the store as the " camera guy ". The clerks really enjoy the info I give them on what I'm doing & I enjoy showing them the pics from my phone. They'll ask a bunch of questions & some will talk about their own needs for trail cams whether it's for security or their husbands or boyfriends hunt too.

When I 1st got my 580, I almost bought a year long txt msg plan for $100, but I wasn't too sure on how the cam was going to work out. Now that this is a proven technology, I just may have to look into that option in the near future.

Anthony · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 7:50 am

On the Go-Phone plan you do not need a data plan to use the sim card with the MMS cameras. What you need are text messages or a text messaging plan. You buy these in 200 or 1000 blocks at a fixed rate.

On the PixController Raptor however you need a data plan, not Text Messaging for example.

T-post · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 8:46 am

I've edited one of my previous post to be MMS generic:

The SG580M and LTL Acorn MMS sends it's pictures via MMS. MMS is a picture "text message". MMS can be sent to any email address and/or any cell phone that allows incoming "text messages".

For explanation sake, a MMS capable camera is a cell phone strapped to a tree, thus it will have it's own phone number, service plan, and SIM card (that little pliable memory strip that identifies your phone provider and account). A MMS capable camera does not make or receive any phone calls, it only "texts" pictures to whatever email address and/or cell phone number you have programed in to it as recipients.

The cheapest and best way to operate a MMS capable camera is to use what AT&T calls a GoPhone plan. There's several GoPhone plans to choose from; choose the GoPhone plan where you pay for phone calls by the minuite. It doesn't matter if the plan bills phone calls at $100 per minuite or 10 cents per minute because the camera never makes any calls. Add a "text message" package to your pay by the minute plan; I use the 1000 text per month for $9.99 package....that's all you need to do, it'll cost you $9.99 per month to operate you camera.

The AT&T terminology is important to understand: You'll first choose a phone "Plan", then you'll add a texting "Package"

Ol' Arky · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 9:53 am

T-post, do ya have to pay all the federal, state, county and excise tax on the plan from AT&T or are they wavied on text messages only????

T-post · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 10:02 am

I'm not sure, it seems like there's a little bit of that, but not much....If I can remember my log-in info, I'll look at my bill on-line to see (I've got all of my passwords and ID's stored at home). I just periodically go on-line and add $30 or so to my account.

outdoorsfellar · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 10:40 am

You only... at least here in Ohio, pay state tax. So my total amount was a whopping $10.69 for the 1000 plan.

We can talk & talk forever on here about these cams ... :lol:

kenfa04 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 24, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 333

Thanks alot. Cell signal at both my deer leases is spotty at best with I phone. Will the camera send any pics with spotty service? Will it consume more battery attempting to send pics? Sorry bout all the questions but I really want one of these cams and am trying to convince myself to get one.

NantucketShedHunter · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 11:42 am

I really appreciate the info here on the Little Acorn MMS. Mine should arrive today. I'm learning a lot on how to set it up and am not so intimidated anymore.

T-post · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 11:52 am

kenfa04 wrote:

Thanks alot. Cell signal at both my deer leases is spotty at best with I phone. Will the camera send any pics with spotty service? Will it consume more battery attempting to send pics? Sorry bout all the questions but I really want one of these cams and am trying to convince myself to get one.

If you have problems texting a picture with your Iphone at a given location, then the camera will probably not work at that location either. I doubt that a weak cell signal will have much of an impact on battery life.

outdoorsfellar · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 11:58 am

If you're getting spotty reception on your phone, then it could very well not be worth the effort & price of this type of cam unfortunately. I have the Iphone as well, but that wouldn't make a difference anyhow. Bad reception is ... bad reception.

Don't worry about being intimidated. Once you get your hands on it & play around, you'll be giving advise in no time :lol:

NantucketShedHunter · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 12:02 pm

code1 has been extremely helpful to me through e-mails on how to set up the MMS feature on the Little Acorn.

code1 · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 12:58 pm

I am still learning more everyday about this MMS cell myself

. I manual entered all the ATT data (Port,IP,Gateway) and I believe it would have done it auto mode. Live and learn I guess it all worked anyway!

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Explanation of costs [using MMS cameras]

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