Knog Scout Bike Alarm and Finder review

With more and more of us turning to bikes for commuting, it makes sense to get your security up to scratch.

Alongside investing in one of the best bike locks, you may want to add a bike tracker in case your pride and joy is stolen.

There are now plenty of options to add an Apple AirTag to your bike (a tracker designed for use with Apple devices). The likes of Muc-Off offer discreet holders too.

Knog has taken things a step further, however, with its own tag that also incorporates a loud alarm and iOS app support for tracking and arming the system.

Knog Scout Bike Alarm and Finder details

The 35.7g unit (including cover and hardware) is designed to fit on your bike bottle cage bosses.

It comes supplied with long bolts so you can still run a bottle cage. This is the stealth option because the matt black lozenge shape looks like the base of a composite cage.

Alternatively, you can use it alone with the supplied security bolts that require a special tool (supplied). There's also a hi-viz yellow rubber cover for a more obvious deterrent.

The Scout charges from a USB-C power source and battery life is a claimed six months. I’ve been testing the Scout on my bike for three months and the battery level is showing as 60 per cent on the app, so that sounds about right.

Activation is via Knog’s iOS app and once paired with your phone the Scout is available as a device in Apple’s Find My app. The Scout app enables you to arm and disarm the alarm remotely, along with setting the device's sensitivity to being moved, and the tone and volume of the alarm.

Unfortunately, there’s currently no support for Android devices.

Knog Scout Bike Alarm and Finder performance

The 85db alarm and Find My tracking provide two methods of protection. The small unit certainly packs some volume. When I tested the 85dB alarm at a crowded railway station cycle stand, it definitely got people’s attention.

Like an Apple AirTag, the Knog Scout sends out a low-latency Bluetooth signal and uses other nearby devices on Apple’s Find My network (iPhone, iWatch and iPad) to transmit its location to iCloud.

You can then view this information in the Find My app on your Apple device. It’s the same way that AirTags work.

Trying out the tracker facility shows the Scout to be a clever device. You get an alert via text to your phone if your bike is moved and can then track its movements via the Find My app on your iPhone.

I fitted the Scout to my partner's folding bike and was able to track her travelling to the office – a 40-minute train journey and a 3-mile ride. In total, the Scout had travelled around 75 miles from our home.

Knog Scout Bike Alarm and Finder bottom line

The Knog Scout is easy to use, performs well and has a clever and effective app.

The £49.99 price tag compares well to AirTags and holders; a standalone AirTag costs £35 and Muc-Off’s holder £29.99 (and an AirTag doesn’t come with an alarm).

If you’re concerned about leaving your bike and want an extra level of security, I’d recommend the Scout, but only if you’re an Apple user.