The term HPA, or High Pressure Air, refers to airsoft replicas powered by compressed air. This solution quickly gained many supporters due to its high reliability. It results from the lack of wearing and failure-prone components such as a piston, spring or gears. An additional advantage was the ability to adjust the muzzle velocity of the BBs using a reducer. In other words, the user sets the dose of air that was released from the cylinder in order to shoot the BBs at the appropriate velocity. Initially, the greatest advantage of this solution was seen by supporters of replicas generating high kinetic energy. The HPA engine allowed for achieving a muzzle velocity of 600 FPS and more without much effort, which at that time in traditional AEGs was associated with high tuning costs and a significant risk of failure. This advantage also became a curse for HPA, because just as quickly voices in the style of "HPA kills" appeared. The ability to change the muzzle velocity with just one knob aroused and still arouses anxiety and reluctance in many people towards this type of system. The fear that someone will cheat during an airsoft game means that we can still encounter cases of bans of HPA-powered replicas by organizers. It is worth noting, however, that the owner of an HPA does not have a "magic" knob at their disposal. Changing the air dosage alone is not everything. After changing the reducer setting you have to set the hop-up again, adjust the weight of the BBs to the new kinetic energy and correct the scope settings. Otherwise, we have energy, but not accuracy and grouping. It seems strange to ban HPA at a time when almost every newly produced AEG replica has a quick spring change system. The HPA engine is not a new technology, but it still arouses heated discussions among airsoft game regulars. As always, the best solution to such a problem seems to be education.
The HPA Pulsar S engine from GATE Enterprise is delivered in an elegant and eye-catching package. Pulsar S is a single-valve engine prepared to work with the Titan II Bluetooth system and this is the set we received for testing. Pulsar S can also be purchased without ETU, but then we give up the feature that makes this product innovative.
The set includes:
- Titan II Bluetooth system,
- Titan and Pulsar patches,
- user manual for both Pusar S and ETU,
- set of stickers for Titan,
- engine repair kit, i.e. a set of spare O-rings,
- connecting hose (without quick connectors),
- JST type battery tip with adapter for T-Con,
- nozzle stabilizing sleeve,
- sticker with password for Titan II Bluetooth.
Compared to other HPA engines, this one stands out with its small size and cooperation with the Titan II Bluetooth optical system. The system itself deserves attention in this case, which gives the user unprecedented adjustment and programming options for HPA, packed in an easy-to-use, intuitive GCS (GATE Control Station) app. It is operated using a smartphone, smartwatch or computer, with which it connects via Bluetooth. Titan II Bluetooth also allows you to connect additional accessories such as bolt-catch and magazine sensors. Using these components allows to simulate the behavior of a real firearm, such as the need to reload after firing a certain number of shots. Let’s go back for a moment to the GCS application, which we use to operate the Titan. GATE Enterprise provides the application free of charge. Owners of their electronics, i.e. Titan, Titan II and Aster systems, can download the application free of charge from Google Play and the Apple App Store and, depending on the model of the system they have, connect to it using a cable (USB-link) or via Bluetooth (Blue-link module built into the ETU). What probably distinguishes the GATE Enterprise product the most from the competition is its clarity and intuitive operation. There is no programming using the trigger, you don’t have to listen to how many thanks you have already had and wonder where you are. We set everything in a convenient menu, where we can separately adjust the trigger sensitivity, rate of fire, fire selector and many others. Another indisputable advantage is diagnostics and error reporting. The system cuts off the replica's power supply if any problems are detected. In the event of a failure, the user cannot continue using the replica, and therefore cannot unknowingly damage it any more. To check what happened, simply connect the ETU to the application. The error report indicates the probable causes of the fault and what should be done to remove it.
Pulsar S test
The manufacturer provides an adjustment in a range of 200 to 550 FPS. We decided to test the engine in a speedsoft replica. We used a budget polymer receiver to assess how the design would work in such an application. To build the replica, we used a 128mm long Lambda FIVE 6.05 barrel and an EON hop-up chamber from Gate Enterprise (described in a separate article). The barrel required modification of the port in order to mount a flat hop. Why did we decide on this type of variant? Well, we decided that the cheapest HPA system on the market would be good to test on not too expensive components. In addition, the adjustment range fits well with the requirements for this type of replica. An additional argument for this move is that the product we received for testing is to be a clear alternative to the competition, which actively operates in the speedsoft environment. It is also worth adding that such a replica will also work great in traditional airsoft meetings with CQB elements.
The tested model was set to 0.9 Jul measured on 0.30 g G&G Armament pellets. With these parameters we obtained a stable 40 m of accurate range (A5 size target). The effective range exceeded 50 m, but at a greater distance the grpping was poor. The rate of fire we achieved was 43 bb/sec for 0.9 Jul on 0.30 g G&G Armament, while the maximum rate of fire we managed to achieve with 0.20 g G&G BBs was 56 bb/sec. However, using light BBs in this case would not work in the airsoft combat field due to the drastic drop in grouping and accuracy. Additionally, the nozzle stabilized by a sleeve, which we received in the set, did not completely eliminate the mid-cap syndrome. Solving this problem required the service technician to have considerable knowledge, experience and access to various parts. In other words, it is doable, but an inexperienced user will most likely not be able to handle it on their own. However, as part of the warranty replacement, we received an improved, much better fitted nozzle with a larger outer diameter. The use of a new component made it easier to eliminate the mid-cap syndrome.
The product we tested was not created exclusively for CQB games, the adjustment range of up to 550 FPS (approx. 2.8 Jul) allows it to be used in forest replicas. The upper limit of the kinetic energy generated by the engine can be considered a great advantage where the limit allows the use of replicas up to 2.9 Jul and HPA is still viewed with distrust.
Pulsar S test in a replica for use in forests
For a more complete picture, we also tested the engine in a replica that will be much more suitable for forest games. As a base, we used a fully metal replica from Delta Armory. We decided to place the Pulsar S in a CNC gearbox from GATE Enterprise to assess the quality of fit of individual components. We had previously tested it in a standard gearbox from Specna Arms, which required additional work to achieve alignment, due to the large clearances. Using the original Gate gearbox significantly sped up the work, as the engine turned out to be perfectly matched to it. The set was supplemented with a 363 mm barrel. Lambda 6.05EON Gate chamber and a flat hop rubber.
In the presented set, the replica would be used both in CQB and forest (assault) games thanks to its wide range of adjustments. The maximum kinetic energy we achieved was 2.2 J using 0.40 g G&G balls and a reducer set to 140 PSI. For these parameters, the rate of fire is 28 bb/sec with satisfactory accuracy and focus. Setting a higher rate of fire is possible, but it significantly affects the repeatability of shots. Using 0.30 g G&G pellets with a 140 PSI setting allowed us to achieve 1.94 J and a maximum rate of fire of 36 bb/sec. However, the best focus and repeatability occurs with a rate of fire not exceeding 32 bb/sec. The highest possible rate of fire that was achieved was 52 bb/sec for 0.2 G&G pellets. However, the result should be considered more theoretical than practical because with such a setting of engine parameters we can no longer talk about efficiency, accuracy and focus. For rate of fire tests, we used new mid cup magazines from PTS with a capacity of 150 and 250 bb.
To sum up, using a replica with a 363 mm long barrel as a base allows you to successfully use the Pulsar S engine in both CQB and forest games up to a limit of approx. 2.2 J. Higher kinetic energy can be achieved by using a longer inner barrel.
In the case of HPA Pulsar S engine from Gate Enterprise we are dealing with the cheapest single-valve HPA system on the market with the possibility of using ETU, which we can get in the set. The combination of the optical system with HPA power supply gives the user of this solution unprecedented possibilities, making this option a very interesting choice for both the speedsoft environment and for supporters of traditional airsoft. With the right experience and skills, you can eliminate the mid-cap syndrome and create a replica that shoots consistently with satisfactory performance. What speaks most for reaching for this product is its combination with the Titan II Bluetooth system. With this set, Gate Enterprise is ahead of the competition by offering a product with capabilities never seen before in the HPA category.
The Pulsar S engine with the Titan II Bluetooth EXPERT system can be ordered on the manufacturer's website for 526 EUR.
