Scout Review: Fresh Design with No Contract (May 2023)
Burglary is one of the most predominant residential crimes in the United States. To curb the risk to your home, you may want to invest in a home security system. If you’re like most interested buyers though, you may be confused regarding home security terminology, how to find the right home security system, and what system will provide you with the most protection.
One particular home security system that has recently gained significant attention is Scout Alarm Home Security. Let’s take a look at what this home security offers and some other base components so you can make the right decision for your needs.
Summary
Scout Alarm Home Security is our 2016 pick for one of the best crowd-funded home security devices on the market. Scout continues to provide end users with the accessibility and functionality that they need in a DIY home security system.
Among accessibility and functionality, Scout also has the necessary hardware and applications that make monitoring easy, just like it should be. With Scout, the DIY security system ends after application. In addition to self-monitoring, users can reach out to the company for some stellar professional monitoring for $20.00 per month. With these capabilities and many more, we are proud to include Scout on our list of top picks for 2016.
back to menu ↑Advantages and Disadvantages
Before purchasing any product, it can be extremely useful to have an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages. This way, you can make a calculated decision as to whether the quality of the product is at the level you need it to be.
When it comes to the Scout Alarm Home Security System, here is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages:
- Application works remotely from anywhere
- DIY installation is easy and setup is straightforward
- The application forwards notifications to your mobile device when the monitoring system detects movement
- Camera includes a 180 degree view
- Sensors are attached to windows using a double backed tape
- No contract to sign up – big bonus
- Only purchase the equipment that you want
- Low monthly monitoring fee
- Alarms include 106 lb sirens (very loud)
- Battery lasts 6 to 12 months
- No hidden fees
- Requires Internet access to work
- In the case of a power outage, system only works as a local alarm system
- No call back support to answer your questions
- Not much of a track record yet
- Not compatible with Zwave technology
- Company’s servers monitor your home – affects reliability standards
- No environmental sensors yet
- Company isn’t transparent as to who monitors your home
While there clearly are a number of disadvantages to this security system, compared to other crowdfunded home security systems, this system’s disadvantages are quite minor. The advantages of the system are also useful features that every homeowner should look for when choosing a home security system.
Before purchasing the Scout home security system, you should also keep in mind that this security system is still largely being improved and developed. As the brands continue to provide an excellent security product for users, they will develop updates or changes to address the disadvantages above. Most significantly, Scout may provide more transparency and implement a customer support line to answer user questions regarding the system in the future.
back to menu ↑A Comparison of Scout’s Monitoring Packages
Scout offers users two different monitoring plans. Each of these monitoring packages doesn’t require a contract and there are no hidden fees involved. The lack of a contract and no hidden fees is one of the main features that most users appreciate when choosing Scout’s home security.
Let’s take a look at the packages available:
| Plans | Always On | Always On + |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99/month | $19.99/month |
| Features |
|
|
Always On – $9.99/month
The Always On package is one of the lowest home security systems that you’ll find on the market. At $9.99/month, users receive 3G of wireless connection and battery power. As a result, your security system will be able to stay on even during some critical time periods, such as through power outages and severe storms.
With this package, users receive email notifications, 3G cellular and battery backup, SMS alert, and a mobile application for iOS and Android devices. Alternatively, if you are looking for more features, then you may want to consider the Always On + Package.
How the Monitoring Plan Work:
Always On + – $19.99/month
Despite being a bit costlier, the added cost is well worth it. The Always On + package is what our experts recommend. As the most secure plan, you receive additional features that truly go above and beyond the base support that you may otherwise receive.
With this package, users receive 24/7 professional monitoring, email notifications to a mobile device, a Scout mobile application for iOS and Android devices, push notifications for mobile devices, 3G cellular and battery backup, and SMS alerts.
The professional monitoring service is the star of this package. With this service, you are receiving protection for UL-certified monitoring centers. This essentially means that you are receiving the highest level of monitoring available from a qualified alarm services provider. If the monitoring center detects a threat to your home, then the center will dispatch police on your behalf. This makes monitoring your home easier and less stressful than it would be otherwise. Traditional DIY security systems often put you in the position to notify the authorities, which can be stressful if you are in an area with limited Wi-Fi access.
How the Monitoring Plan Works:
Additional Considerations – Promo Code and Discounts
If you are interested in signing up for Always On or Always On +, then the company is currently offers a yearly plan for each option. With the yearly plan, you can save 10% per package, leading to substantial savings in the long-term.
back to menu ↑What are Scout Customers Saying
One of the best ways to determine whether a home security system is right for you is to see what current customers find as positives and negatives. With an idea of what customers are saying, you can get a good sense of where the home security system excels and where its short falls are for customers who have actual experience with the product.
Let’s start with a few of the positive points that customers are touching upon:
- Doesn’t require professional installation, leading to cost savings
- Internet connection works without power
- No wires included
- Takes 45 minutes to install on average
- Alerts authorities when there is an issue
- Minimal sensors, but superb monitoring qualities
- High quality product that is manufactured by GE products
- IFTTT interface
- Affordable monitoring program
- Batteries last a few months
Overall, these features are pretty positive points and correspond with features and qualities that the brand and most other reviews mention. As a result, you can be confident that you are getting a legitimate product.
Now that we have covered a few of the positive customer comments, here are some of the negative comments we found:
- Some customers were dissatisfied with the material that the alarm system is made from (plastic) – I’m not sure what to say about this complaint, as nearly all home security devices are made from plastic.
- In some rare cases, batteries did not last more than a month, but Scout credited the cost of new batteries back to the customers’ cards.
- A 30-day return policy may not be enough to allow one to become accustomed to the system and its features
In terms of negative customer reviews, many of the complaints can be attributed to personal preferences. For most alarm systems, a 30 day return policy is an ample amount of time for one to get accustomed to the security system.
Even though they don’t have a call customer support, they also have other kinds of support that they provide to their customers. These include:
- Video Tutorials
- Knowledge Base Support
- Community Forum
Unique Benefits of Scout
One of the most unique advantages of the Scout home security system is that it includes an IFTTT channel that works well with Nest and Amazon Echo. For most homeowners, this type of feature is highly desirable because it enables you to automatically connect to a specific channel that handles your home security needs.
In addition, by enabling you to connect to Amazon Echo, you can use voice commands and sound detection to meet the security and monitoring needs of your new home. With the ability to use superior technology with the Scout Home Security System, you can ensure that your home’s security network is at the level you want it to be at.
back to menu ↑Scout Review – Overall
At the end of the day, Scout provides users with a home security system that enables seamless integration into the home. With this security system, you can implement a quality device that provides you with the affordability, quality detection, sensors, compatibility, applications, and other technical features that you need to keep your home and your family safe.
Another bright point of this product is fact that you don’t need a contract to use the service. Without the requirement of obligating yourself to a contract, you can easily switch carriers to one that suits your needs more if Scout doesn’t work out. However, it is important to remember that not all services will except equipment not installed by their company or purchased outside of their product line.
If you have used Scout or know someone who has and you’d like to share your thoughts about this security system, then we’d like to invite you to submit your own review. Submitting your own review not only gives others an idea of your own experience with the security system, but it can also help them make the decision as to whether Scout is the right security system for them and their home needs.
back to menu ↑Available on Amazon
Scout Alarm Wireless Home Security System, Arctic
- Month-to-month monitoring, no long-term contracts
- Seamless do-it-yourself installation
- Customizable to fit your home and your lifestyle
- Unmatched control, that keeps security simple
- Scout Alarm is integrated with Alexa and can be controlled through Amazon Echo
Scout Alarm Wireless Home Security System, Midnight
- Month-to-month monitoring, no long-term contracts
- Seamless do-it-yourself installation
- Customizable to fit your home and your lifestyle
- Unmatched control, that keeps security simple
- Scout Alarm is integrated with Alexa and can be controlled through Amazon Echo
