In this day and age, we don’t just have smartphones. We also have smart cars, smart TVs, and, more recently, smart homes. With a smart home, you eliminate the need for standard switches, utilize voice control, and enjoy a tone of other benefits from the futuristic technology.

Scout is one of the most popular options on the market today as it’s completely customizable, and you don’t have to commit to a long-term contract.

In this Scout review, we’ll be diving into all the different features, plans, and packages of the system. And by the end, you’ll have a crystal clear idea of whether or not Scout is worth your time and money.

Scout features a fairly unique pricing plan. To start with the system, you will need to buy a security package for your home. The prices for these equipment packages start at $229 for the small package and can reach as high as $549 for the large package.

On top of the initial equipment package, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee between $9.99-$19.99 for the Scout Always On plan. With this plan, you get to access the features of Scout through the app and control your security system through your phone.

The monthly fee for Scout is fairly lower than others on the market today. And while you will have to pay an initial fee for the equipment package, you don’t have to sign any contract which allows you to cancel any time.
While you may save some money by opting for Scout, keep in mind that this is a DIY security system. So, you won’t have professionals come over to install the systems for you. Instead, you have to do it yourself, which is a significant point of consideration.

And if you aren’t a fan of the different Scout packages, you may even build your own systems. To do this, all you have to do is head to the website and begin the process.

For a quick rundown of the prices of Scout, check out the chart below;

Here’s a quick rundown of the different features and security equipment you can get with any of the Scout packages.

Monitoring

In terms of monitoring, there are a few different equipment options available with Scout. For starters, you have the hub. This is the essence and soul of the entire security system. The hub is connected via an ethernet cable and ensures communication between all the systems is secure. So, even in the event that the power or telephone lines go out, you stay connected.

This is very important in terms of 24/7 monitoring. So, if you aren’t at home and you don’t have power, the ethernet cable and the hub are more than enough to keep your systems online.

Lastly, the main monitoring system of Scout is their Indoor Camera. Among the different pieces of equipment out there, the indoor camera was the hardest to install. But once it’s up, it provides you with a 1080p HD feed of what goes on in your house, which could be very important.

The 115-degree field of view is a bit smaller than the standard 130-degree cameras. So, if you have a large space, you might have some issues. However, for regular-sized rooms, this camera works just fine.

Alerts

The advantage of Scout’s systems is that they are specifically designed for modern homes. So, each piece of equipment conveniently connects to your smartphone (if you’re subscribed to Always On).

From there, you can receive regular updates on what goes on in your home. On top of that, customers also have the freedom to customize the alerts they receive. So, whether you want to know when the motion sensor is activated or only be sent push notifications if there’s something suspicious on the indoor camera, Scout is fully customizable.

With the Scout app, you can also send silent alerts in the event of an emergency. So, if you want to send for help without triggering any alarms or sirens, you can do it through the app.

However, one thing Scout lacks is a distress signal or distress code. Most other security systems providers offer this feature, so it is a point against Scout.

With that said, the silent alert system works very well. When you send an alert, the monitoring team will contact you and you have to input a password. If the wrong password is entered, the team will dispatch police officers to your home.

Home Automation

Scout’s security systems run on Z-wave and Zigbee wireless protocol. This functions without WiFi and allows the system to communicate with different devices. So, if you get a Scout system, you can integrate it with Phillips Hue smart light bulbs and other brands as well as Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Home device.

As long as the smart device runs on these protocols, it will work with Scout. This system is specifically designed to integrate with smart homes, so most customers don’t encounter any problems in terms of home automation.

One thing to remember about Scout is that it is a DIY system. So, whenever you buy equipment or subscribe to their services, you need to install the equipment yourself. However, all the instructions are clearly laid out, so save for the indoor camera, installation is relatively easy.

And once Scout is set up, it’s incredibly easy to use. With the app, you can control the entire system and since the hub is powered by an ethernet cable, you don’t even need to rely on your home power source.

Overall, Scout is a great security system to easily integrate with smart homes. However, the downside to this is that you need to install everything yourself.

With that said, this also allows Scout to be fully customizable. On the site, you can build your own systems that perfectly adhere to your needs. On top of that, you can also save money by only choosing the equipment that your house requires.

So, while there is a bit of a give and take with the DIY set-up of Scout equipment, it isn’t too much of a hassle and even offers a couple of benefits that you won’t find with other systems and providers.