Vault Pulse Smart Access Control with 3D Face Recognition for Electric Strike Doors
At A Glance
At A Glance
DISPATCH3 Business Days
3D Face 
Fingerprint 
PIN Code 
RFID Card / Fob 
Bluetooth App 
Remote (Optional G5) 
Mechanical KeyNot Available
The Vault Pulse Smart Access Control (Vault_Pulse) is a wall-mounted smart access controller for doors fitted with an electric or magnetic strike. It combines 3D facial recognition with fingerprint, PIN code, RFID card and Bluetooth app access in a rugged aluminium-frame keypad, and releases the strike to unlock the door. It is the face-recognition member of the Vault access-control range, beside the Vault Arena and Vault Edge.
Pulse is a wired 12V system. It connects to a power supply, the strike, an exit button and an optional doorbell, and is set up and operated from the Vault Smart Locks app over Bluetooth 5.0. Adding the optional Vault G5 Gateway bridges it to your Wi-Fi for remote management - see what a gateway does.
It holds 100 faces, 100 fingerprints and 1000 cards, which suits offices, gates, common doors and shared entries with many users. If your door instead suits a self-contained face-recognition lockset, see the Vault Guardian; for the wider brand line-up see the Vault brand profile.
Usually ships in 3 business days.
Facial Recognition Access
Pulse includes 3D facial recognition for fast, touch-free entry, alongside fingerprint, PIN, RFID card and Bluetooth app control. It stores up to 100 face profiles, and the manual confirms the figure - the Pulse is the face-recognition model in Vault's access-control range.
3D structured-light recognition captures depth rather than a flat image. For a plain-English explanation of why 3D differs from a 2D camera, see Chapter 06 - 2D vs 3D facial recognition, and for how the sensor tells a face from a photograph, liveness detection.
Confirm the exact product revision and installation suitability before purchase.
The Vault Pulse is a wired 12V system and should be installed by a suitably licensed installer. A compatible electric or magnetic strike is required and is sold separately. Any 240V mains connection for the power supply must be completed by a licensed electrician.
The Pulse reader is rated IP66 - dust-tight and protected against heavy water jets - which suits covered outdoor entries, gates and sheltered external doors. The power supply, strike and any connected accessories must be housed and protected for their own location, and the reader should sit out of sustained direct weather where possible. See the Australian IP ratings guide, and for salt-air positions our notes on coastal environments and how coastal exposure shortens lock life.
Key Features
- Wall-mounted smart access controller for electric-strike and magnetic-strike doors - it releases the strike, it does not replace the door lock body.
- 3D facial recognition plus fingerprint, PIN code, RFID card and Bluetooth app unlock - compare the credential types in Chapter 03.
- Rugged aluminium-frame keypad, IP66 rated.
- Wired 12V system with exit button, optional doorbell and optional Bluetooth remote control.
- High capacities: 1000 cards, 100 fingerprints, 100 faces.
- Fast 1.5 second unlocking time; Bluetooth 5.0 for local setup and app management.
- Optional Wi-Fi remote access via the Vault G5 Gateway - browse the gateway and bridge accessories range.
- Managed through the Vault Smart Locks app - permanent, timed, one-time, custom and recurring passcodes, app eKeys and unlock records.
Access Methods
Palm RecognitionCompare credential types in the access methods comparison, or browse every palm or face recognition lock we stock.
What's in the Box
- Access control host x1
- Mounting plate x1
- Screws (4 + 1)
- Hex screwdriver x1
The Vault Pulse is designed to drive a compatible electric or magnetic strike from its 12V system. The strike is not supplied and must be selected to suit the door, frame, power supply and application - it is a separate item, not a Vault catalogue product.
Installation and System Arrangement
Pulse is the access controller in a wired system. A 12V power supply feeds the controller, which drives the electric or magnetic strike on the door, with an exit button to release the door from inside and an optional doorbell and Bluetooth remote control. The controller itself surface-mounts to the wall on its plate: the manual's four steps are the cable hole, the mounting plate, the wiring to the power supply, and hooking the unit onto the plate and securing the screw.
Because Pulse is a wired 12V system driving a strike, it should be installed by a qualified installer. On the Gold Coast we offer a site survey and installation service - start at our Advice and Installation page. If you are weighing up doing it yourself, read when DIY is reasonable first.
Power, Wiring and System Requirements
- Power supply: 12V DC (separate supply required)
- Operating current: 1A; standby current: 15mA
- Drives an electric or magnetic strike (fail-safe or fail-secure per your strike and installation)
- Supports an exit button (to release the door from inside) and an optional doorbell
- Optional Bluetooth remote control
- Connects over Bluetooth 5.0 to the Vault Smart Locks app (Android 4.3 / iOS 7.0 and above)
- This is a hardwired access controller, not a battery-powered standalone smart lock - so read what happens in a power outage and plan the strike's behaviour accordingly
The power supply, strike, exit button and cabling are specified for your door and are wired separately.
Vault Smart Locks App
The Pulse is set up and managed through the Vault Smart Locks app, available for iOS and Android (Android 4.3 and above, iOS 7.0 and above).
The app is used to enrol faces, fingerprints and cards, add and revoke users, issue permanent, timed, one-time, custom and recurring passcodes, send app eKeys, and review the unlock log over Bluetooth. Remote management from outside Bluetooth range needs the Vault G5 Gateway. Vault runs its own Vault Smart Locks app platform, and how the app ecosystems compare is in Chapter 15 - choosing a platform and which smart lock platform is right for you.
Suitable Uses
- Office, studio and commercial entries with an electric or magnetic strike
- Gates and common-area doors in apartments and complexes - read the Buyer's Guide strata checks first
- Staff or tenant access points needing many cards and fast, touch-free entry
- Doors where a wired reader and strike suit the installation better than a battery door lock - see the door-type compatibility matrix
- Covered outdoor entries where the IP66 reader gets weather protection - one of the palm or face recognition options in the smart lock range
- Short-stay and multi-tenant buildings that want an audit trail of who came through and when
Available Finish Options
Silver
(This Product)
STK Vault_Pulse
Finish selection does not affect functionality, compliance, or performance.
Vault Access-Control Range
All three are wired 12V controllers on the Vault Smart Locks app with optional G5 remote access. The Vault range guide covers the access-control trio alongside the door locks.
Full Specifications
Dimensions
Wi-Fi Remote Access (Optional)
Pulse is controlled over Bluetooth from the Vault Smart Locks app as standard. Bluetooth control works when you are near the reader and needs no internet connection.
Adding the optional Vault G5 Gateway bridges the system to your home Wi-Fi so you can manage users, read unlock records and delete or change passcodes remotely. For how a gateway works and whether you need one, see what a gateway does, the G5 in the gateway comparison and the note on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and band steering, or the blog on whether you need a gateway at all. Every Wi-Fi capable smart lock we stock is in one category.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pulse is a wall-mounted access-control reader that unlocks the door by releasing an electric or magnetic strike. It is not a battery door lock and does not replace the lock body. For a self-contained face-recognition lockset, see the Vault Guardian; for the rest of the Vault door locks, the Vault range guide.
No - the strike is sold separately and is not a Vault product. Choose it for the door and frame, and decide between fail-secure (stays locked when power drops) and fail-safe (releases when power drops) based on the opening's egress and fire requirements. See the door-type compatibility matrix and, for apartment doors, what is actually compliant on a fire door.
Pulse runs on a 12V DC supply, which is wired in during installation along with the strike and exit button - it is not battery powered. It draws 1A when operating and about 15mA on standby. Any 240V connection for the supply is a licensed electrician's job; the site survey sorts out the arrangement.
Pulse uses 3D structured-light face recognition, which captures depth rather than a flat image and holds up to 100 faces. See 2D vs 3D facial recognition and liveness detection.
Yes, with the optional Vault G5 Gateway. Without the gateway it is managed locally over Bluetooth 5.0 from the Vault Smart Locks app. See Wi-Fi and remote access and what a gateway does.
Additional Information
Pulse controls a strike, so the strike type (fail-safe vs fail-secure), power supply, exit button and any emergency egress must be planned for your door and local requirements. A qualified installer should confirm the arrangement - see our installation service and Advice and Installation.
3D recognition is convenient but should be enrolled carefully and paired with a PIN or card as a backup. For how face recognition performs, its privacy considerations and liveness detection, see liveness detection and the privacy notes.
Fire performance belongs to the complete door and strike system, not to the Pulse controller. On an apartment or strata fire door the strike must itself be suitable for the door - see where fire-door rules apply, the strata checklist and why you cannot just swap hardware.
A wired controller only works while its 12V supply is live. A fail-secure strike stays locked and a fail-safe strike releases when power drops, so decide which the opening needs and consider a battery-backed 12V supply for doors that must keep working through an outage. Background: power outages and electronic locks.
Pulse is one of Vault's three access-control readers for electric-strike doors, alongside the Arena and Edge - the Pulse is the one with 3D face recognition. If your door instead suits a self-contained lockset, see the face-recognition Guardian. See the full Vault range guide and the Vault brand profile.
Warranty
Vault Smart Locks products purchased in Australia are covered against defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential or commercial use for:
- Standard range: 12 months from the date of purchase
- Select Signature Range models: 24 months (as stated on the product listing or packaging)
Returns & Warranty|View Vault Warranty Policy
This warranty operates in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
Download PDF Resources
Twelve-page manual for the Pulse (models K5 / K5F): structure and inclusions, the specification table (aluminium frame, 79 x 145 x 19mm, Bluetooth 5.0, 12V, 1A / 15mA, 1.5s unlock, IP66, 1000 cards / 100 fingerprints / 100 faces), the four-step wall-mount installation with wiring diagram, then app registration, passcodes, eKeys, cards, fingerprints, face enrolment and gateway setup.
Four-page manual for the optional G5 Wi-Fi gateway that adds remote access to this controller - app registration, connecting the controller to your phone, what the gateway does (remote unlock records, clock calibration and remote passcode changes) and the pairing panels.
Vault Pulse Smart Access Control - FAQ, Setup and Owner's Guide
Everything below is here to help you specify, install, set up and live with the Vault Pulse. For general smart-lock questions see our Smart Lock FAQ (Chapter 13), for the credential types see Chapter 03 - Access Methods, and for the whole Vault line-up the Vault range guide.
Access Control Basics
The Pulse is a wall-mounted access controller. It reads a credential - face, fingerprint, PIN, card or the app - and releases an electric or magnetic strike fitted to the door. A smart lock such as the Vault Guardian replaces the door's own lock body and runs on batteries; the Pulse leaves the door hardware to the strike and runs on a wired 12V supply. Which you want depends on the door: managed, shared or high-traffic openings usually suit the reader-and-strike format, a single front door usually suits a lockset. The door-type compatibility matrix walks through it.
It drives an electric strike or a magnetic strike (maglock) fitted to the door or frame. The strike is not included and is not a Vault product - your installer selects it for the door, frame and power supply. The Pulse itself has no bolt, latch or keyway.
A fail-secure strike stays locked when power is lost and a fail-safe strike releases. Emergency egress rules, fire-door requirements and how the building behaves in an outage decide it, and the installer confirms it before ordering. For apartment and strata doors start with apartment fire-door compliance and the strata checklist.
The controller stops reading credentials until the 12V supply returns, and the door does whatever the strike does without power - fail-secure stays locked, fail-safe opens. If the door must keep working through an outage, specify a battery-backed 12V supply. Our note on power outages covers the general picture.
No. The Pulse has no keyway - the greyed Mechanical Key row in the Access Methods table says so plainly. Mechanical egress or a key override, where one is needed, is provided by the strike and door hardware, not by the reader. Read what a key override does and does not do and locks without a key override.
Yes, where the gate takes an electric or magnetic strike and the reader can be positioned under cover - the reader is IP66, but the power supply and strike need protecting for their own location. Read our notes on coastal environments if the gate faces salt air.
Face Recognition and Credentials
The Pulse uses structured-light 3D recognition: it maps the depth of a face rather than matching a flat picture, which is what separates it from a 2D camera. Up to 100 face profiles are stored, and enrolment is done at the reader through the Vault Smart Locks app. Chapter 06 explains 2D versus 3D and liveness detection covers why a photo does not open the door.
It can be, because a face template is biometric data. Enrol only people who consent, keep a PIN or card as the fallback credential, and read the privacy notes before rolling it out across tenants or staff.
100 fingerprints, 1000 cards or fobs and 100 faces, per the Pulse manual. PIN codes are created in the app as permanent, timed, one-time, custom or recurring passcodes. Compare the credential types in Chapter 03 and browse the RFID and fob category for compatible credentials.
Permanent codes for regular users, timed codes that work between a start and end time, one-time codes for a single entry, custom codes you set yourself and recurring codes that repeat on chosen days - all created and revoked in the Vault Smart Locks app over Bluetooth. The factory default PIN is 123456 and should be changed at setup.
An eKey is app access shared with another Vault Smart Locks user, so they can unlock from their own phone over Bluetooth. Like passcodes, eKeys can be permanent or time-limited and are revoked from the administrator's app.
The Pulse reads the RFID cards and fobs supplied for the Vault range, enrolled one at a time in the app. Up to 1000 can be registered, which is why the Pulse suits staff and tenant entries. RFID credentials explained.
Power, Wiring and Installation
A 12V DC supply, wired in separately. The controller draws 1A when operating and about 15mA on standby; size the supply for the controller plus the strike it drives. Any 240V connection to the supply must be made by a licensed electrician.
The power supply, the electric or magnetic strike, an exit button for the secure side, cabling, and optionally a doorbell and a Bluetooth remote control. The Pulse box holds the controller, its mounting plate, screws (4 + 1) and a hex screwdriver.
It surface-mounts on the wall beside the door. The manual's installation runs in four steps: drill the cable hole, fix the mounting plate, wire the controller to the power supply, then hook the unit onto the plate and secure the screw. Allow space behind the 79 x 145 x 19mm reader for the plate and cabling.
A licensed installer - it is a wired 12V system that drives door hardware, and any 240V work is an electrician's. On the Gold Coast, Terry's offers a site survey and installation service; see Advice and Installation. If you are considering DIY, when DIY is reasonable and the common installation mistakes are worth reading first.
Yes - the reader is IP66 rated against dust and heavy water jets, which suits covered entries and gates. Keep it out of sustained direct weather where you can, and house the supply and strike for their own positions. IP ratings explained; coastal sites should read how salt air shortens lock life.
Remote Access and Gateway
Not to use the Pulse. It works fully over Bluetooth when your phone is in range. The Vault G5 Gateway (sold separately) connects it to your Wi-Fi so you can manage users, read unlock records and delete or change passcodes from anywhere. Do you need a gateway at all? answers the question in general terms.
Home Wi-Fi within Bluetooth reach of the controller - the G5 sits between the two. Most smart-lock gateways work on the 2.4GHz band, so if your router merges its bands read about band steering before setup, and check the G5 page for its own network notes. Place the gateway sensibly (placement tips), and if it keeps dropping out, the real fixes.
Everything local: face, fingerprint, PIN, card and Bluetooth app unlocking keep working because the credentials are held in the controller. Only remote management through the gateway pauses until the connection returns - see internet-down behaviour.
The G5 is the shared gateway of the whole Vault range and bridges the Vault devices within its Bluetooth reach. The G5 page covers pairing and its light status.
Suitability and Compliance
The controller can, because it mounts on the wall, not the door - what matters is the strike, which must be suitable for the fire door and fitted without compromising the door's rating. See where fire-door rules apply, certified smart locks for apartment fire doors and the body-corporate notes on who has to approve it.
It is a common fit for shared entries and common-area doors, but strata approval and the building's fire and egress requirements come first. Run the Buyer's Guide strata checks and the strata checklist.
Yes - unlock records are read in the Vault Smart Locks app over Bluetooth, and remotely with the G5 Gateway. For short-stay and multi-tenant buildings, why an audit trail matters.
All three are wired 12V controllers on the same app with fingerprint, PIN, RFID and Bluetooth. The Pulse adds 3D face recognition (100 faces). The Arena drops face recognition and keeps the 100-fingerprint / 1000-card capacities, and the Edge is the lowest-priced of the three. If face recognition is not needed, the Arena is the like-for-like saving.
App and Management
The Vault Smart Locks app, free for iOS and Android
(Android 4.3 and above, iOS 7.0 and above). Register an account, then add the controller over Bluetooth. Vault runs its own app platform, and Chapter 15 compares the app ecosystems.
Access is managed from the administrator's Vault Smart Locks account, which can share app eKeys and passcodes with other users. Keep the administrator account with whoever manages the building or business, and transfer it if that changes.
Voice and smart-home integration for the Vault range runs through the G5 Gateway rather than the controller itself - see the G5 Gateway page for what it supports.
Warranty and Support
Vault's standard 12-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, for the original purchaser - the full terms are in the Warranty section above. Batteries do not arise on a wired controller; incorrect or unlicensed installation is excluded, which is another reason to use a licensed installer. Vault charges a refundable assessment holding fee on warranty assessments ($200 in metropolitan areas, $250 elsewhere), returned if the fault is covered - contact us first and we will guide the claim.
Yes, across the Gold Coast - book a site survey for access-control work so the strike, supply and cabling are specified before anything is ordered. Advice and Installation explains the service.
Related Products, Guides and Chapters
Vault access-control range: Vault Arena (no face recognition) · Vault Edge (lowest-priced) · Vault G5 Gateway (remote access)
Vault face-recognition door locks: Guardian lever lock · Fortress push-pull · Nexus deadbolt · Zenith slimline · Alpha slimline · Guardian Vision intercom · Fortress Vision intercom · Nexus Vision intercom
Buyer's Guide chapters: Ch 03 Access Methods · Ch 04 Door Types · Ch 05 Fire Doors · Ch 06 Facial Recognition · Ch 07 Short-Stay · Ch 08 Gateways · Ch 10 Brand Profiles · Ch 11 Standards and IP · Ch 12 Installation · Ch 13 Smart Lock FAQ · Ch 15 App Platforms
Helpful blog reading: Introducing the Vault Smart Lock Range · Apartment Fire Doors - What Is Compliant · G2 vs G3 vs G4 vs G5 Gateways · Why Smart Locks Drop Off Wi-Fi · The Realities of Electronic Door Locks · Mechanical Key Override · Which Smart Lock Platform Is Right for You · Site Survey and Installation
What's in the Box - Vault Pulse
- Access control host x1
- Mounting plate x1
- Screws (4 + 1)
- Hex screwdriver x1
Typical Installation Arrangement
Vault Pulse - Product Brochure
PDF Files - Vault Pulse Smart Access Control
Twelve-page manual for the Pulse (models K5 / K5F): structure and inclusions, the specification table, the four-step wall-mount installation with wiring diagram, then app registration, passcodes, eKeys, cards, fingerprints, face enrolment and gateway setup.
Four-page manual for the optional G5 Wi-Fi gateway that adds remote access to this controller - app registration, connecting the controller to your phone, what the gateway does (remote unlock records, clock calibration and remote passcode changes) and the pairing panels.
Vault Warranty
Vault Smart Locks products are backed by a manufacturer's warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential or commercial use. All claims are handled locally by Terry's Tradies Pty Ltd and its associated websites, trading names, and subsidiaries - start with us and we'll manage the process with Vault on your behalf.
Warranty Summary
How to Make a Claim
- Contact Terry's Gold Coast Smart Locks through the Returns & Warranty page above, with your proof of purchase (invoice or receipt).
- Have your product model and serial number (if applicable) ready, along with a brief description of the fault and your installation address.
- We assess your claim with Vault and advise the outcome and next steps. You may be asked to return the product for inspection.
What This Warranty Does Not Cover
- Normal wear and tear.
- Cosmetic damage that does not affect performance.
- Damage caused by incorrect installation, misuse, neglect, modification, or accident.
- Damage due to improper handling, or installation by an unlicensed technician.
- Products that have been disassembled, tampered with, or where the security seal or warranty label has been removed.
- Battery leakage or failure, or damage caused by incorrect battery usage.
- Environmental or weather damage caused by use outside recommended operating conditions.
- Labour, installation, or removal costs associated with replacing or reinstalling products.
- Work performed before warranty approval or assessment.
Important Notes
Where a Vault product carries an Ingress Protection (IP) rating, that rating is stated on the individual product listing, packaging or technical documentation. Unless stated otherwise in writing, the IP rating applies only to the external-facing side of the lock - not to the internal assembly, handle, battery compartment, electronics, cables or connectors. The internal side must be installed in a dry, sheltered position. An IP rating describes water resistance, not waterproofing: the lock must not be submerged, pressure washed, or exposed beyond its stated rating, and all seals, gaskets and covers must be correctly fitted and undamaged.
Vault's manufacturer policy applies a warranty assessment holding fee, which is refundable if the fault is found to be covered under warranty. If a product is assessed as outside warranty or damaged by an excluded cause, a discounted replacement may be offered. We will confirm any applicable fees and options with you before any assessment proceeds.
This warranty is provided in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the ACL. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure, and to have goods repaired or replaced if they fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
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