Skip to main content

Smarten up your oldschool home security setup with Scout’s Takeover box

Here’s a new idea: an alarm system that piggybacks on your existing landline-based home security system and makes it smarter. Instead of replacing it entirely, you simply retrofit your oldschool setup with a web-connected box to give it more capabilities.

Pretty novel, right? Well that’s the idea behind an upcoming product from Chicago-based startup Scout. The company, which already offers a line of DIY home security devices, is currently running three separate crowdfunding campaigns to launch a trio of new products — one of which is the aforementioned Takeover box.

Recommended Videos

scout takeoverThe potential product lineup also includes a connected security camera and a smart light socket adapter. Each device has its own crowdfunding campaign on Dragoninnovation.com, and the first one to reaches its goal will ship before the other two.

We’ve seen other iterations of the security camera and connected socket adapter before (i.e. Dropcam, Emberlight), but as far as we can tell, the Takeover box is a completely new idea. There’s currently nothing like it on the market right now.

Most traditional alarm systems –like those you’d get from a provider like Brinks or ADT– are tied to wired telephone lines, and relay information using a series of tones to indicate when something happens. Therefore, if a window opens/is broken in a particular zone, for example, it sets off a fixed series of tones over the phone line that is interpreted by the alarm company. Scout’s takeover system uses those same tones, but translates them over a cellular or IP connection — so instead of getting a call from your security provider, you can get an instantaneous alert on your mobile device and can act accordingly.

Speaking with GigaOm, Scout co-founder Dan Roberts said about 90 percent of home alarm systems in North America would work with this system, so nearly anybody who has an oldschool alarm system hardwired into their walls already could easily install one. Right now, the company’s plan is to charge $19.99 a month for the monitoring services, plus $199 for the Takeover box itself. Sounds a bit steep at first, but it would essentially allow you to ditch your current provider and pay a considerably lower rate in exchange for a one-time 200-dollar hardware investment.

Not a bad deal if you ask us.

Drew Prindle
Former Senior Editor, Features
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Get up to 40% off Blink smart home security gear: Cameras and more
Blink Outdoor closeup of camera.

Need a web-connected camera or video doorbell to keep tabs on the interior or exterior of your property? One of the best smart security brands on the market is the Amazon-owned Blink company. Blink has numerous indoor and outdoor cams to choose from, and right now, Amazon is offering up to 40% off on many of its most popular Blink devices. We’re not sure how long these Amazon deals are going to last though, which means now is probably the best time to invest in one of these great offers.

Why you should buy Blink devices
The idea behind Blink devices is giving the world DIY smart cams that are easy to use and a breeze to set up. Most of these cameras deliver exceptional video quality and terrific motion detection capabilities, too. And as it turns out, one of the Blink items that Amazon has discounted by 46% is one of its latest peripherals: the Blink Outdoor 4. This weather-friendly outdoor model is sold as a single camera, or as part of a bundle (starting with two cams and going up to eight per purchase).

Read more
Protect your home for less: Chamberlain MyQ smart garage security camera is $10 off
Chamberlain MyQ smart garage security camera installed and used

Isn't it funny how when you think about protecting your home, particularly with surveillance gear, your first instinct is to cover your front door? Usually, you do that with a standard security camera or perhaps a video doorbell. But there's another entry point that you should be covering, too, and it's just as important, if not more so than your front door. Your garage. Think about it. Whether you open your garage door with a remote, a keypad, or a smart app, it's an entire, much larger entry point that deserves to be monitored. Chamberlain agrees, and thanks to a Best Buy deal, you can grab the MyQ smart garage security camera for $10 off during Labor Day. Normally $50, it's yours for $40, and it's one of the best ways to keep an eye on your garage and the front of your home.

 
Why shop this Labor Day deal on the Chamberlain MyQ smart garage security camera

Read more
These Reolink Prime Day deals are some of the best yet for home security
Epic chance to elevate security game with Reolink Prime Day deals

Prime Day is officially here, which means we're about to be showered with deals upon deals. While there are a lot of categories included, one you might not normally consider is the smart home security and surveillance space. In today's world, you can never have enough security, and Reolink is at the top of its game with some incredible deals. Now's your chance to save on outdoor cameras, indoor cameras, comprehensive security systems, and much more. You can secure your home and property, but you could also secure your business, family homes, or additional properties, whatever you need, really. The prices won't get this low again, either. We've gathered up some of the best deals to browse right here.

Top Deal: Argus 4 Pro 4K dual-lens battery camera -- $154, was $220

Read more