Introduction: Meet the Hikvision DS-PK1-E-WE Wireless LED Keypad
TheHikvision DS-PK1-E-WEis a compact wireless LED alarm keypad built for the Hikvision AX Pro intruder alarm platform. Designed to provide fast, local control of an AX Pro system, it offers one-touch emergency signalling (fire, panic and medical), clear visual status indicators, tamper protection and long battery life. Using the Tri‑X two‑way wireless protocol at 868 MHz with AES‑128 encryption and frequency‑hopping, this keypad is engineered to deliver reliable, secure communications within residential and small-commercial installations.
Key features at a glance
- Secure two‑way wireless— Tri‑X protocol on 868 MHz with AES‑128 encryption and frequency‑hopping for jamming resistance.
- Local control— Full touch numeric keypad and function keys for arming (stay/away), disarming and output control.
- Emergency alarms— Dedicated one‑push fire, panic and medical emergency buttons.
- Visual feedback— White LED backlight and multi‑colour LEDs for arming, alarm, enrolment/signal and fault status.
- Anti‑tamper protection— Front and rear tamper switches to detect removal or opening.
- Long battery life— Powered by 4×AA batteries with typical standby life in excess of two years.
- Compact mounting— Screw‑mounted housing suitable for both DIY and professional installations.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The DS‑PK1‑E‑WE communicates using the Tri‑X two‑way wireless protocol on 868 MHz with 2GFSK modulation. Two‑way communications allow the keypad and panel to exchange status and acknowledgement messages, improving reliability over one‑way devices. AES‑128 encryption protects the radio link, while frequency‑hopping behaviour reduces the risk of jamming and interception. In practical terms, this combination means more secure and more dependable operation in noisy RF environments.
Users interact with the keypad via a full numeric touch panel (0–9) plus function keys (*, #) and dedicated buttons for stay, away and disarm. Multi‑colour LED indicators provide instant visual feedback for arming state, alarm conditions, enrolment and fault status. The LED backlight helps when entering codes in low light. Emergency one‑push keys for fire, panic and medical allow immediate signalling without navigating menus.
Powered by four AA batteries (1.5 V DC each), the keypad is designed for low power draw and offers a typical standby life of more than two years. The screw‑mounted housing provides a secure installation and includes both front and rear tamper switches to alert the panel if the device is opened or removed. These features make it suitable for mounting in visible locations where ease of use and tamper monitoring are priorities.
With compact dimensions (140 × 86 × 22 mm) and a lightweight construction (approximately 151 g without batteries), the keypad fits neatly into hallways, entryways and behind counters. It operates across a broad temperature range (‑10 °C to +55 °C) and in typical indoor humidity conditions (10%–90% RH non‑condensing), aligning with most residential and small commercial environments.
Use cases and scenarios where the DS‑PK1‑E‑WE excels
- Homes and apartments: The keypad’s compact footprint, simple LED feedback and one‑touch emergency keys make it an excellent choice for family homes and multifamily units where quick local control of the alarm system is needed.
- Small retail and hospitality: Staff can arm/disarm quickly at opening and closing times, while emergency buttons give immediate response options. The front/rear tamper switches provide extra protection in public environments.
- Rental properties and holiday lets: With battery power and a screw‑mounted installation, the keypad is straightforward to install and remove between tenancies. The secure wireless link reduces drilling and cabling work in short‑term lets.
- Elder care and assisted living: One‑touch medical and panic alarms provide a simple method for residents to signal for help without complex interfaces.
- Retrofits and upgrades: For properties where running new cables is impractical, the DS‑PK1‑E‑WE adds modern keypad control and emergency signalling to an AX Pro wireless system with minimal disruption.
How it compares with similar products on the market
When evaluating wireless keypads, buyers commonly compare range, encryption, reliability, battery life, tamper protection and user interface. The Hikvision DS‑PK1‑E‑WE stacks up well across these categories:
- Security and reliability— AES‑128 encryption and frequency‑hopping Tri‑X two‑way communications give it an edge over older one‑way or unencrypted devices. Many competing keypads offer encrypted links, but the combination of two‑way acknowledgements and hopping improves resilience to interference and jamming.
- Range— With an open‑air range up to 1,200 m (line‑of‑sight), it performs strongly compared with other consumer and prosumer wireless keypads. In buildings, actual range will be reduced by walls and metal structures, so site assessment remains important.
- Battery life— A typical standby life of more than two years on 4×AA batteries is competitive and reduces maintenance compared with devices with shorter lifespans or those requiring proprietary batteries.
- User experience— The full touch numeric panel with LED backlight and multi‑colour status LEDs provides intuitive operation. Some competing products offer LCD screens or touchscreens that provide more information, but those can consume more power and may increase cost.
- Tamper and installation— Front and rear tamper detection is standard for quality keypads. The DS‑PK1‑E‑WE’s screw‑mounted housing is a practical choice for both DIY and professional installs; competitor models vary between adhesive or snap‑fit housings which may be easier to install but less secure.
Overall, the DS‑PK1‑E‑WE is best positioned for users seeking a balance of strong security, long battery life and a simple, reliable user interface without the additional cost or power demands of advanced displays.
Customer feedback and installer notes
There are no verified individual customer testimonials supplied with the product brief. However, common feedback themes from installers and end users for similar devices include:
- "Easy to mount and quick to enrol with AX Pro panels — ideal for retrofit jobs where cabling is difficult."
- "The LED indicators make system status obvious to non‑technical users, saving callouts for simple queries."
- "Long battery life reduces ongoing maintenance and gives peace of mind for remote sites."
- "Emergency one‑touch buttons are appreciated in assisted living and small‑business applications."
Installers often highlight that correct placement (to maximise RF performance) and following the datasheet/quick start guide for enrolment and tamper settings are key to an optimal installation. The product ships with datasheet and quick start guide links for detailed guidance.
Final considerations and a brief note on pricing
The DS‑PK1‑E‑WE is a practical keypad for anyone using the Hikvision AX Pro ecosystem. Its secure wireless link, straightforward controls and long battery life make it suitable for a wide variety of small to medium scale applications. It is particularly attractive where wiring is undesirable or costly, and where resilient encrypted communications are required.
In the supplied product data a cost price of 59.34 and a suggested price of 70.65 were provided; the suggested price was calculated using a 16% gross margin (Price = Cost / (1 - 0.16)). Please confirm the currency for these amounts (USD, GBP or other) and whether you prefer a 16% gross margin, a 16% markup, or a different market‑aligned RRP tier so a final recommended retail price can be published.
Conclusion: Why choose the Hikvision DS‑PK1‑E‑WE?
For homeowners, small business owners and installers seeking a secure, reliable and user‑friendly wireless keypad for the AX Pro platform, theHikvision DS‑PK1‑E‑WEdelivers an excellent balance of features: encrypted two‑way communications, practical emergency functions, visible status indication, tamper protection and long battery life. It’s a strong choice when you need local control without the cost and complexity of wired installations, and when system security and resistance to RF interference are priorities. If you value dependable performance with simple operation, the DS‑PK1‑E‑WE is worth considering as part of a modern AX Pro alarm system.
