Scout Alarm Logo

Scout Alarm

star star star star star_border

6.7

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: May 25th, 2022

Scout was founded in 2013 with the launch of a successful crowdfunding campaign for do-it-yourself home security similar to Abode or Nest. The company boasts sleek and technologically advanced equipment. Scout is one of many self-installed home security systems that requires professional monitoring for users to be able to fully use all of the available features. The company is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • Quick and Easy Installation
  • Helpful Tutorials
  • Choice of Three Colors to Match Decor
  • Can be Moved to a New Residence
  • No Long-Term Contract

Quick and Easy Installation

Scout offers its customers many attractive features in that they may quickly and easily install door/window sensors or door panels that pair with the Scout Hub with little effort required. Equipment is as follows:

  • Scout hub — Scout's version of a typical WiFi-enabled control panel or base station
  • Door panel — A disarmable door sensor that contains an RFID scanner and siren
  • Access sensors — functions as door/window sensors
  • Motion sensor — a sleek version of your typical motion detector
  • Water sensors — senses flooding in areas like your kitchen or bathroom
  • Indoor camera — view live feeds, day or night
  • Video doorbell — answer the door and receive notifications when someone is at the doorstep
  • Keypad — arm and disarm the home security system at the touch of a button
  • Glass break sensor — 25-foot range detects the sound and vibration of breaking glass
  • Smart door lock — integrates with Scout app and features a durable touchscreen
  • Smoke alarm — fire dispatch available with On+ Plan

When you install a system, you must have a Scout Hub with at least one door panel. Other sensors can be added at any point. Additional Key Fobs or RFID stickers, which are used to arm or disarm the Door Panel, are also available.

Mobile App

Setting up a system requires that the user have the Scout app on their Android or Apple mobile device. The Scout app allows you to arm, disarm, and customize your system, including shut down false alarms. 

Helpful Tutorials

Scout has several video tutorials that show customers how to install and pair their equipment with the Hub. These are available on the company's site (but missing from its YouTube channel). 

Choice of Three Colors to Match Decor

The Hub, Door Panels, and Motion Sensors are all available in three colors-black, white, and walnut. 

Can Be Moved to a New Residence

Customers can install Hub in a rented home and move their equipment into a new residence free of charge, making Scout a good option for renters.

No Long-Term Contract

Scout Alarm customers pay from month-to-month or can pay for a year of monitoring for a discount. Most home security companies will require a 3- to 5-year contract for home security services. Scout Alarm, meanwhile, attaches a three-year warranty and a 60-day return policy on all products, and free shipping on orders of $200 or more.

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Upfront Costs
  • Poor Customer Service

Upfront Costs

In addition to the monthly fee you pay for professional monitoring, you must buy all equipment upfront from Scout Alarm's website. This allows you to customize your system how you like, but it could also cost more than a typical installation fee from a traditional home security company. Scout Alarm packages are as follows:

Scout Small Pack: $229

  • One Control Hub
  • One Door Panel
  • One Motion Detector
  • Two Door/Window Sensors
  • Two Key Fobs
  • One Yard Sign

Scout Large Pack: $319

  • One Control Hub
  • One Door Panel
  • Two Motion Sensors
  • Five Door/Window Sensors
  • Two Key Fobs
  • One Yard Sign

Scout Elements Pack: $349

  • One Contrl Hub
  • One Door Panel
  • One Motion
  • Four Door/Window Sensors
  • Two Key Fobs
  • One Yard Sign
  • One Smoke Alarm
  • One Water Sensor

Scout Architect Pack: $549

  • One Control Hub
  • Onen Door Panel
  • One Motion
  • Four Door/Window Sensors
  • Two Key Fobs
  • One Yard Sign
  • One Smart Lock
  • One Glass Break Sensor

Poor Customer Service

It is never a solid practice to completely change a product after heavily advertising it with specific features. Scout did so with its initial launch, with many customers excitedly arming their home with Scout products. The company advertised that the system was fully functional without the need of external monitoring services and monthly fee. All previously purchased equipment ceased to function with the same features with which it was normally purchased and promised. The company's customer service has been slow to respond to customer requests in the past. While the customers are able to access helpful tutorials online, being able to receive rapid assistance from a live person is beneficial to customers.

gavel

The Bottom Line

Scout originally had many features that were attractive to its customers, primarily that there was no need for professional monitoring service. After customers had purchased equipment for their homes, this equipment failed to function as promised by the company. Since the company had strongly advertised the benefits of not having additional costs or the need for professional monitoring, this resulted in some justifiably angry customers. The company's products are well-reviewed, with the exception of those who were affected by the downgrade of the service. Those looking for a system that is simple and straightforward with a monitoring subscription will find that Scout meets many of their needs. However, the only thing that appears to separate Scout Alarm from a traditional home security company is the lack of a long-term contract. Read Scout Alarm reviews below to see what past and current customers have to say.

View Best Home Security Companies

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info

3.8

star star star star star_border

26 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

42%

4 grade

27%

3 grade

15%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

15%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star star_border

Quality

star star star star star_border

Service

star star star star star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star star star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

KG Becker, MN

I like that the scout system is easy to use. I wish that more z wave products could be integrated with the system. I also wish the distance from the hub to sensors could be expanded or two hubs link into one system.

2 years ago

Scout Alarm Logo

Reply from Scout Alarm

Thanks soo much for your review KG! It would be wonderful for more integrations to be linked with Scout besides our current integrations: Amazon Alexa, Hue, IFTTT, Google, Lifex, First Alert, Kwikset, and Yale. Please let us know which integrations you are interested in and we'll be sure to add them to our dock.

We are also working on getting our siren and zigbee repeater back in stock and finding other repeaters that can help extend the signal throughout your home. Currently you can link up to 65 sensors to each hub. We'll be sure to reach out once these have been added to our system

If you ever need customer service, we will be happy to assist :)

May. 17th, 2021

star star star star_border star_border

Kelly Birmingham, AL

I have an older system. The siren is a joke, You can barely hear it standing next to it. They promised they were working on a "fix" and would send me a new one and never did. But besides that, it's very easy to setup and has nice features. You can install your own louder siren, but it bothers me that promised a fix but never provided one when I could have instead returned it and gotten my money back. Customer service is extremely fast in responding to questions.

4 years ago

Scout Alarm Logo

Reply from Scout Alarm

Thank you for your review of Scout Alarm Kelly! We haven't made any major adjustments to the 105 db siren. There have been some ventilation added to our V1S which may slightly boost the sound. The affordable upgrade option is available to all our V1 customers so please let us know if you have any questions and are interested in upgraded your system.

We hope your security system continues to perform as expected. If you ever need customer service, we will be happy to assist :)

May. 17th, 2021

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Ryan Chicago, IL

App is easy to use and customer service is prompt. I have connectivity issues and battery issues.

2 years ago

Scout Alarm Logo

Reply from Scout Alarm

Thank you for your review of Scout Alarm Ryan! We have ways to fix your connectivity and battery issues with our V1S system. Please reach out and let us know how we can help.

We hope your security system continues to perform as expected.

Stay Safe!

May. 17th, 2021

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

JJ Emmitsburg, MD

We've had several false alarms with the smoke detectors and one door sensor.

2 years ago

Scout Alarm Logo

Reply from Scout Alarm

Thank you for your review of Scout Alarm JJ! I apologize for your false alarms. We have many trouble shooting steps to prevent and false alarms from happening and also provide free adhesive if you ever need to move anything around. Feel free to reach out with any other questions you may have!

We hope your security system continues to perform as expected. If you ever need customer service, we will be happy to assist :)

May. 17th, 2021