Is Scout Alarm integration being retired with introduction of new ADT integrated Smartthings hub? I have Scout Alarm integrated with the Smartthings hub for last year or so.
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Not that they’ve announced (yet).
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How do you like the Scout service. I’m considering trying it. It doesn’t seem logical to buy basically a whole new system to integrate with ADT
You don’t just get ADT integration. The ADT/smartthings model line has a number of features You would expect from a purpose-built security system that you don’t get from smartthings with Scout
https://www.smartthings.com/adt#/how-it-works/keychain-remote
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More reliable sensors. The dual logo sensors which are able to trigger an alert to the ADT monitoring sensor use an entirely different frequency and network protocol then the home automation sensors do. This should significantly reduce false alarms as well as improve general performance.
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Cellular back up, which gives you the ability to contact the ADT monitoring center even if the Internet is down (the scout integration still requires working Internet for all notifications)
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Exit and entrance delays. There’s a rumor that these will be added to SHM once we get the new app, but I don’t know if that’s been confirmed, and they are not possible with the classic app.
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The ability to arm and disarm the system even if the smartthings cloud is not available. The Scout integration Cannot change the armed state unless the smartthings cloud is working and available.
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The ability to alert the professional monitoring service for fire or CO2 events. The scout service at the present time cannot monitor for fire events, but, assuming you’ve bought the right equipment, the ADT system can. As well as providing more types of monitoring, some insurance companies will only give a discount for systems which include fire monitoring.
Scout Alarm currently dispatches for “Burglary” events. We’re not able to dispatch for smoke/fire/CO at this time, even if you have a Nest Protect or similar device paired with your Scout Alarm.
ADT will monitor your home 24/7 for smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and water leaks.
However, adding fire monitoring will increase your total monthly fee for the ADT monitoring service to $35/month.
Different things work for different people, but as you can see, the offerings are quite different.
Hello Garett,
It does exactly what ADT does, a call from 800# telling me that there is a burglary alarm at my house. Their response is almost the same as ADT. The only issue is that you need to have your internet up and running . ADT provides cell connectivity as well.
Regards
Ravi
JDRoberts is right. Scout however works for me. I was paying $75 per month for ADT pulse and it made no sense.
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AND the SmartThings cloud needs to be functioning normally. Not just your own internet connection. The newer ADT/ST hub has a better battery backup too if your power goes out, although anyone could put their ST hub on a UPS.
Most people that are willing to pay for home security seem to find the internet/cloud dependence of smart home monitor to be an unacceptable flaw. But that’s obviously an individual choice.
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Thank you for the reply. I guess I should have said it doesn’t make sense to buy a whole new system just to get security and home automation integration. The features you listed are industry standard for a security system. The only advantage here is that it “integrates” with smarthings…except anything that you want to “integrate” (work for security and home automation) you have to buy from scratch. I understand ADT’s stance that they want control of any sensor that will result in a phone call, but at the price point I would almost have more money in the integration than if I bought something like SimpliSafe and just had 2 sensors on my doors. If I were just entering the market it would be much more attractive.
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I just recently signed up for Scout Alarm. I understand that they don’t monitor co2, fire, or smoke alarms. They also do not dispatch the fire department.
But what if you had a virtual contact sensor that you set up SHM to be monitored. You could have it “opened” by way of a virtual switch when a co2 sensor trips (look up “simulated door sensor” sth). To Scout it would just be a door that opened and they would dispatch the police if you can’t be reached.
Granted the police will show up to a fire/co2/smoke situation but at least someone showed up that can hear the alarm and then radio the fire department for help. What are other implications of that? Is it illegal?
Yes… I believe in most jurisdictions this would be illegal, but you can check when you obtain your home alarm license / permit.
If I could guarantee no false alarms, I personally would still consider doing it; because a saved home would (presumably) exceed the fines… But we all know that false alarms are inevitable, especially with SmartThings.
Your instincts are correct. Someone with this kind of set up would be knowingly diverting trained police resources from other situations where they might be needed to save lives or property into a situation that they know the police are not trained to handle because the homeowner is too cheap to pay for a system with fire monitoring.
So you are right: that will be illegal almost everywhere. (For one thing, remember that the police won’t know that the only thing that is going on is your CO Detector going off. They are going to believe that a burglary also took place and therefore they will risk their own lives going into your home to try and rescue someone they believe may be there.)
If you don’t want to pay a monthly fee for fire monitoring, get a Kidde RemoteLync or Leeo And make arrangements with your neighbors that you will be reciprocally notified For siren events. That will get the person there to hear the alarm going off and then notify 911. But you won’t be diverting trained resources or endangering someone with false information.
You guys make excellent points. I appreciate your responses and I have a Leeo set up for this very purpose. I just had to ask. Thanks.
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