Best Home Security Companies: Xfinity vs Scout Alarm vs Link Interactive
Today we will be comparing three of the top home security providers in Xfinity Home Security, Scout Alarm, and Link Interactive. So let’s dive right in and see how they stack up! We’ll go over equipment, monitoring plans, and more!
We understand that shopping for a home security system can be difficult due to the amount of information that must be sorted through. We've broken down some of the top security companies' products and services to make the process easier for you. Today, we'll look at and compare the services provided by Xfinity Home Security, Scout, and Link Interactive.
Xfinity Control Panel
Xfinity Home is Xfinity's version of the home security systems offered by many other cable providers. Xfinity's user interface is a full-color touchscreen that's loaded with options. Because of its slim profile, it can be set up just about any place. The panel may connect to your home's WIFI network wirelessly. Xfinity Home's touchscreen control panel features a cellular chip as a backup in case your Wi-Fi goes out, so it will keep working normally. Because it requires an AC power supply, positioning is crucial. The touchscreen also contains a backup battery in case the power goes out. Your local time and weather forecast are shown on the touchscreen. On the touchscreen, you may activate the alarm, deactivate the alarm, add sensors, and watch live footage. The Xfinity Home control panel is easily extensible, allowing you to use non-Xfinity products.
To see an alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option, check out our home security system at Link Interactive >>
Scout Alarm Control Panel
If you're looking for a reliable control panel to link your wireless security and other devices together, look no further than Scout Alarm. The Scout Hub is their command center; it communicates with their devices via WIFI in your home and has a cellular backup in case your internet connection ever goes out. You'll need to utilize the Scout Hub's companion app, a standalone keypad, or a key fob to activate the system's arming and disarming functions because none of those actions can be performed from the hub itself. Your security system may be rapidly activated and deactivated with the use of an RFID tag. The Scout Hub has a built-in alarm that can be heard throughout the house at a loud 105 decibels. They use AC electricity to run their control panel, and there's a backup battery in case the power goes out. The Scout Base contains a large number of zones and is easily extensible. You'll have a better picture of where and what's going on in your house thanks to the control panel's ability to identify which zone (sensor) was triggered. Z-wave technology is built into the control panel, so you can add in other smart home gadgets.
See our cutting-edge control panel by Qolsys >>
Link Interactive Control Panel
Multiple interface options are available at Link Interactive. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is Link's most popular panel. This control panel is the most feature-packed option and also happens to be aesthetically pleasing. As a wireless and cellular system, it may also be linked to your home's WIFI to provide you with even more bandwidth. It takes power from an electrical outlet and has a battery for emergency use. The IQ Panel 2 is a 7-inch full-color touchscreen that allows you to manage your system and any peripherals. The time, date, and temperature are also shown on the touchscreen. When your security system is activated or deactivated, a 5 megapixel front-facing camera will automatically take a picture. When you leave or return home, the IQ Panel 2 can automatically arm and disarm your security system through Bluetooth. The IQ Panel 2's ability to listen for the sound of breaking glass is a very useful and innovative function. If your security system or any of the associated devices are activated, a siren built within this panel will ring. The IQ Panel 2's Z-Wave protocol makes it compatible with many other popular brands of home automation products, such as smart locks, for maximum versatility. See our cutting-edge control panel by Qolsys >>
Xfinity Equipment
Xfinity Home provides all the sensors you could ever want for complete home and family safety. Door and window sensors are the primary option. Their door/window sensors are battery-operated and wireless. Any time these sensors are tripped, you will receive an instant alert. Motion sensors are another feature available through Xfinity Home. Their motion detectors are battery-operated and wireless. For added convenience, Xfinity Home also provides a wireless, battery-operated keypad that may be used to arm and deactivate the system. Xfinity Home's keypad is a simple push-button interface, allowing for one-touch system arming and disarming. Additionally, a smoke alarm is available through Xfinity Home. Their battery-powered, cordless smoke alarm has a 5-year lifespan. The Xfinity Home smoke detector will sound an audible alarm and provide you an immediate alert when it detects smoke. You won't have to worry about setting up any of the aforementioned basic security devices since an Xfinity expert installation will do it for you.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Xfinity has a lot of great add-on equipment that allows you to really expand your system. They have some great home automation equipment that can help cut down on your home’s energy costs per month. Xfinity Home offers Zen Thermostats. The Zen Thermostat has a LED touch display and works for the majority of HVAC heating and cooling systems. The Zen Thermostat works by connecting wirelessly to your home’s WIFI network, and it is powered by it being directly wired to your home’s power source. The Zen Thermostat allows you to set custom timers for when your heating and cooling system comes on and goes off which can save you money on your home’s energy bill. Xfinity Home also offers a smart outlet. Their smart outlet plugs directly into an AC power source, and works with a variety of small appliances. You can set timers for when the appliances connected to the smart outlet come on and go off. There are also a wide variety of other branded smart home devices that will work with the Xfinity Home system such as Phillips and Yale. You can find a list of compatible devices on Xfinity’s website.
Video Monitoring
When it comes to video surveillance equipment Xfinity Home offers their indoor/outdoor camera. Their indoor/outdoor camera can be used for providing video coverage for the areas that are on the outside or the inside of your home. It is a wireless camera that works by connecting directly to your home’s WIFI network, and it is powered by an AC power source. Xfinity Home’s indoor/outdoor camera can capture HD video clips, and it comes with night vison technology that allows you to capture images when there is little to no light around.
Scout Alarm Equipment
Scout Alarm provides a wide range of standard accessories for their control panel. When compared to other intrusion sensors on the market, Scout Alarm's Door Panel stands out as a unique option. The Door Panel of the Scout Alarm is a bigger sensor that should be installed on the exterior of a door. When this sensor detects that the door has been opened or closed, it will sound an alarm. Tap an RFID sticker on the Door Panel or use a Scout's key fob to instantly arm and disarm your system using this sensor. You can put these stickers on anything that won't get in the way while you're trying to relocate it. These stickers are designed to be placed on the control panel or Door Panel and activate the system with a simple tap. There's a 105-decibel alarm system integrated right into the Door Panel, too.
The Access Sensor is the next entry-level option for sensors provided by Scout. The doors and windows in your house can be monitored with this set of sensors. They run on batteries and sound an alarm when a door or window is opened. There are wireless, battery-operated motion sensors available from Scout as well. The PIR motion sensors used by Scout have a 90-degree field of vision and can detect movement over a wide area. Scout Alarm provides battery-operated and wireless glass break sensors. Within a range of 15 feet, Scout Alarm's glass break sensors can detect the shattering of glass. Key fobs remotes with a push-button style are available from Scout Alarm. You may easily lock and unlock your system with the push of a button using their keychain remotes.
The sensors offered by Scout Alarm include those for monitoring smoke and carbon monoxide as well as for detecting water damage. These sensors are wireless and run on batteries; when activated, they emit a loud alarm. When one of these sensors (or any other sensor provided by Scout Alarm) is triggered, your system will respond accordingly. The equipment supplied by Scout Alarm is all "Do It Yourself" (DIY) but comes with all the necessary parts and instructions for a speedy set up.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option called Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Scout Alarm has a limited variety of what they actually offer on their website for add-on equipment so it is important to keep in mind that Scout’s control panel has Z-Wave technology which means you can use other branded home automation and security products that are not offered on the Scout Alarm’s website. They do offer Yale Automated Door Locks. The Yale automated door lock offered by Scout has an illuminated touch pin pad that allows you to create custom user codes. It is battery operated and allows for quick one-touch locking and unlocking of this lock. The Yale automated door lock offered by Scout Alarm can be unlocked and locked on the go, and any user codes for it can be enabled or disabled at any time. Scout Alarm also offers an indoor camera as a part of their add-on equipment.
Monitoring/Cameras
When it comes to video surveillance equipment Scout Alarm offers an indoor camera and video doorbell camera that work by connecting to your home’s WIFI network. Scout Alarm’s indoor camera is powered through an AC power source, but they do not state how their doorbell camera is powered. Their indoor and video doorbells camera record in full 1080P which lets you capture crystal clear video clips. Their indoor camera has a 155-degree field of view while their doorbell camera has 180-degree field of view. They both come with night vision built-in so that you can view video even when there is limited or no light around the camera. The Scout indoor and video doorbell cameras have built-in motion detectors that will trigger the cameras to start recording whenever motion is detected near them.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Link Interactive Equipment
Link Interactive wanted to make sure you could really expand your Link Interactive security system to give your home total coverage which is reflected in the selection of basic equipment. All the basic equipment we will be going over is wireless and battery-operated. Link Interactive offers a variety of intrusion sensors. Link offers door/window, gate, tilt, glass break, motion, and image sensors. The gate sensor is unique in that it is a door/window sensor but for the gates/doors of the outside of your home. The image sensor is another unique sensor due to it being able to take snap shots when motion is detected in an area it is placed. Tilt sensors are used for the garage doors of home, and they will alert you to when your garage door has been opened or shut. Link Interactive offers a secondary full colored touchscreen remote. You can control all of the basic functions for your IQ Panel 2 through this keypad. Link interactive offers a panic button that will immediately trigger your system if the button is pushed. To protect your home from the elements, Link Interactive offers a temperature/smoke sensor and a CO sensor. Their temperature/smoke sensor will detect for smoke and detect rises and drops in temperature while their CO detector will monitor for dangerous rises in CO gas. If these are detected these sensors will make an audible alert while triggering your Link Interactive security system. All equipment offered by Link Interactive is DIY, but a step-by-step setup guide for a fast and easy installation is included.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option called Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Link Interactive has a ton of home automation and video surveillance equipment you can use with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2. Today we will only be going over some of these items. If you are looking for a more complete list you can visit Link Interactive’s website at https://www.linkinteractive. Link Interactive offers a few different smart locks that you can buy directly from them. The smart locks offered by them have a push-button keypad that allows for quick one touch arming. You can create custom user codes along with remotely control the smart locks offered by Link Interactive through their smart phone app. Links offers smart lights and modules in where custom timers can be set for when they come on an off. These devices are great at cutting down on your home’s energy consumption down, and they can also be remotely controlled through the Link Interactive App. To remotely control the garage doors of your home, Link Interactive offers a garage door controller. You will also receive push notification anytime your garage doors have been opened or shut. To make your home a little greener you can add a smart thermostat from Link Interactive to your system. The smart thermostat offered by them works for the majority of HVAC heating and cooling systems. Custom timers along with remote control of this thermostat is just some of its features.
Monitoring/Cameras
Link Interactive also offers a huge selection of indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell cams. The basic features for all the cameras include HD video resolution, motion sensor, 2-way audio, and advanced night vision. Due to the IQ Panel 2 having a Z-Wave protocol you can also use other home automation equipment not listed or offered by Link Interactive with your Link Interactive security system.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Xfinity vs Scout vs Link App
All three companies offer professional, self, and video monitoring services. For self-monitoring, the apps are free to download and work for Apple and Android devices. Their apps will allow you to remotely control your system and all connected equipment while you’re on the go. You will also receive push-notifications whenever your system is triggered. You can also view and stream video through their apps. Professional monitoring services work the same. You will have a professional monitoring station watching over your home 24/7.
Recommended: For the best way to control your safety, look at our security system here at Link Interactive. Our system comes complete with Crash and Smash protection, and all the bells and whistles of a modern day home security system!
Xfinity vs Scout vs Link Interactive
The winner: Link Interactive. A Link Interactive system is one of the few Alarm.com powered security systems on the market (the gold standard in home security), that not only fits your budget, but blows every other security system on the market out of the water in terms of features and reliability. Don’t believe us? Try a Link system for yourself, hassle-free and with no obligations for 30 days. Click here to see Link Interactive’s offer >>
We encourage you take a look at Link’s offer here, get a quote and compare. You can also call direct at 1-877-826-5443 for further details and speak with a rep!
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