GATE Pulsar H Hybrid HPA Engine, ASTER II Bluetooth, Front Wired

This set combines the GATE Pulsar H – a hybrid HPA engine with one solenoid valve – with the ASTER II Bluetooth EXPERT control unit for V2 gearboxes. The Front Wired version routes the power wires forward in the replica, so the battery is typically placed in the handguard. The engine replaces the cylinder, piston and cylinder head, and together with the ASTER II you get a complete HPA conversion of a V2-based AEG.

The Pulsar H is GATE's middle option between the simple Pulsar S and the dual-valve Pulsar D: the nozzle movement is separated from the air pulse, giving better tolerance to gearbox alignment, while keeping the price and simple operation of the single-valve engine. The ASTER II gives an optical trigger sensor and full setup via Bluetooth in the GATE Control Station app, so you can adjust sensitivity, fire modes and ROF directly on the field.

Pulsar H with ASTER II – key features

Engine and control unit together:

• ASTER II Bluetooth EXPERT: Optical V2 drop-in control unit with adjustable Quantum Trigger 2 and Bluetooth 5.2. The EXPERT firmware gives access to fire modes such as SEMI, BINARY, BURST and AUTO plus ROF control and magazine simulation.
• Two-stage hybrid open bolt: Nozzle cycle and air supply are separated, which according to GATE gives more stable performance than a classic single-valve open bolt – without the empty first shot you can experience with closed bolt.
• Tolerant to installation: The Pulsar H is considerably less sensitive to the precision of the replica and the installation than the Pulsar S, which requires almost perfect axial alignment of the gearbox.
• Up to 40 RPS: The rate of fire is controlled from 1 to 40 rounds per second, and GATE states no drop in muzzle velocity on AUTO compared with SEMI. Feeding depends on the magazine.
• Air economy and weight: Approx. 1 PSI per shot at 90 PSI with a 0.8 l/300 bar tank. The engine weighs 92 g and the ASTER II only 23.4 g.

Maintenance and safety

• Installing an HPA engine requires experience: the gearbox must be emptied, the engine placed fully forward against the front wall of the gearbox, and wires and air line routed without being pinched. We are happy to fit and set it up in our workshop in Aulum, Denmark.
• Only use high-pressure air via a regulator, and keep the operating pressure within 60–140 PSI (approx. 4.1–9.7 bar) – higher pressure can damage the engine. GATE recommends, for example, PolarStar MRS, Redline SFR or Wolverine STORM as regulators.
• The ASTER II and valve are powered by a small 7.4 V battery; with Front Wired routing there must be room for the battery at the front of the replica. The air line has a 6 mm outer diameter and M5×0.8 thread in the engine. A QD fitting (US/EU) is not included and must be bought for your system.
• GATE advises against silicone buckings with Pulsar engines, because they wear faster and change properties with temperature swings. Rubber buckings such as Maple Leaf Mr. Hop, Madbull Blue, TNT Black with nub or G&G green typically work well.