You’ve probably used Bluetooth in your daily life. There, it powers anything from smartwatches to wireless headphones. But did you know it can also help your residents open doors and gates on your property? This guide helps you decide if a Bluetooth Gate Opener is right for your building.

In this post, we explain what a Bluetooth Gate Opener is and how it works. Then, we go over the pros and cons of installing one and offer possible alternatives.

This post covers:

• What is a Bluetooth gate opener?
• How does a Bluetooth gate opener work?
• Pros and cons of a Bluetooth gate opener
• The best Bluetooth gate opener alternative

What is a Bluetooth gate opener?

A Bluetooth gate opener is a gate you can open wirelessly with a credential powered by Bluetooth technology. These credentials come in the form of key cards, fobs, or even an app on your smartphone.

You can find Bluetooth gate openers on all kinds of properties, from residential to commercial. In fact, wherever there’s a gate, there’s a Bluetooth-enabled motor that can open it — whether you’re talking parking lots, gated communities, or office buildings.

Bluetooth property gate opener systems depend on these parts:

1. Credential. If the resident has a Bluetooth card or fob, they hold that up to the credential reader. Otherwise, they use their phones to send a signal to the credential reader.
2. Credential reader. Bluetooth credential readers are always active and ready to receive signals. When a reader receives a signal from a credential, it forwards that data to your gate opener’s control panel.
3. Control panel. The control panel is the “brains” of your gate opener system. It compares the credential data received with an internal database of credential data. Then, if there’s a match, the control panel signals the gate to open.
4. Gate opener. The gate opener is a motor that physically moves the gate out of the way to let residents in. After a resident enters, the motor activates again to close the gate.

Watch how the ButterflyMX gate intercom works:

How does a Bluetooth gate opener work?

Like other wireless networks, Bluetooth depends on high-frequency radio waves to allow for communication between two devices.

While Bluetooth is ubiquitously known, a recent development in the field has big implications for property managers: Bluetooth Low Energy, or BLE. BLE devices use less power than traditional Bluetooth devices and have larger ranges. However, they’re also more expensive.

Additionally, after the remote gate opener and the credential communicate, there’s the matter of the motorized gate opener itself.

There are two main types of motorized gates: swinging and sliding gates.

True to its name, a swinging gate swings outwards or inwards to let somebody in. However, they usually swing inwards so they don’t hit the person or vehicle that’s just requested entry. In contrast, a sliding gate slides left or right in order to let the resident in.

Pros and cons of a Bluetooth gate opener

Pros

• Using your smartphone to open the gate. These days, every resident has a smartphone in their pocket. As a result, for them, opening the gate is as easy as one swipe.
• Easy vehicle access. Does your gate opener control a gate that vehicles go through? If so, your tenants can say goodbye to the awkward dance of maneuvering a credential up to the sensor.

Cons

• Limited range. Under ideal conditions, Bluetooth devices can connect up to hundreds of feet away — but in real-world conditions, it’s more likely that you’re looking at a range of up to thirty feet. Conversely, there are other networks, like WiFi, that allow users to make connections and open the door even if they aren’t in the same town.
• Credential hassles. Choosing to hand out physical credentials instead of depending on smartphones means you must keep track of these credentials.
• Possibility of WiFi interference. WiFi and Bluetooth use the same frequencies to communicate. While this isn’t usually a problem, you may run into interference issues if too many WiFi and Bluetooth devices are in the same area.
• Resident access without a smartphone. If your residents are using an app on their smartphone to connect to the Bluetooth gate opener, they’ll need another option in case their phone is out of battery.

The best Bluetooth gate opener alternatives

A Bluetooth gate opener is a great addition to any property — and residents will surely appreciate the convenience of using their phones to open the gate. However, if you look at the limitations of Bluetooth devices, you might be wondering if Bluetooth gate openers are a be-all, end-all solution.

The best way to use a Bluetooth gate controller is by augmenting it with other access control devices. Instead of solely depending on Bluetooth, you can choose a system that combines Bluetooth with other networks like WiFi. This way, your property isn’t entirely dependent on one network.

Take the ButterflyMX access control system, for example. Our system of intercoms, keypads, vehicle readers, and smart gate openers with cameras uses the internet and RFID tags to create a unified access ecosystem that extends throughout your entire property.

The centerpiece of the ButterflyMX access system is an intercom residents can use to open the door via smartphones. But alongside that, managers can also choose to assign anything from a fob to a vehicle sticker for maximum versatility and convenience.

Takeaways

• Bluetooth credentials include keys, fobs, and Bluetooth gate opener apps residents use on their smartphones.
• If you install a Bluetooth gate opener, you benefit your residents by enabling easy vehicle access and keyless access with their phones. However, keep in mind that you might run into range limitations. You’ll also need to accommodate tenants without smartphones.
• While Bluetooth electric gate openers for driveways are convenient, you can increase their convenience — and add more features for your residents — by investing in intercoms and keypads that integrate with the gate opener.