The Tesoro Gram Spectrum Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard Review
by E. Fylladitakis on August 22, 2016 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Mechanical Keyboards
- Peripherals
- Keyboard
- Tesoro
- RGB
Conclusion
I always try to use every keyboard that we review as my personal keyboard for at least a week. My typical weekly usage includes a lot of typing (about 100-150 pages), a few hours of gaming and some casual usage, such as internet browsing and messaging. As I am used to switches with a 4 mm key travel, I am usually worried with any type of switch that alters the travel distance, but I rarely actually encounter any significant problems. The Agile switches of the Tesoro Spectrum Gram were, unfortunately, an exception. The high action force and strong tactile feedback in combination with the shortened key travel were alien to what I have been used to up to this date, and it took several days for me to get used to typing without bottoming down every keystroke. It did not feel very comfortable even after I got used to it, as the shortened key travel is not ideal for long typing sessions. In combination with the relatively high operating force of the switches, the Gram Spectrum increased my fatigue levels significantly.
The primary purpose of this keyboard however is not typing, but gaming. The Gram Spectrum did feel practical and comfortable for long gaming sessions. The shortened height of the keyboard counteracts the lack of a wrist rest and the keyboard did not stress my wrists even after hours of gaming. Tesoro’s Agile switches are a little stiff but provide good audible feedback, which some gamers will appreciate but others will discard it in favor of lower noise solutions. The programmability of the keyboard was relatively limited, but I did program a fairly effective gaming profile, adjusting the layout of a few keys and having others launch macro commands compiled with an external application.
As for the shorter actuation distance, Tesoro’s Agile switch is virtually no different than any other “gaming” switch that we have encountered to this date. The shorter actuation distance does technically reduce the time required for actuation, but the difference is just a few milliseconds at best. With tactile, heavy switches such as these, there is virtually no pragmatic advantage over the standard counterpart of the switch.
Wrapping things up, Tesoro baptized the Gram Spectrum with a showy name but the actual product is based on a very subtle, minimalistic design. The combination of a flat, plain metallic top and low profile keys can mislead even experienced users into believing that this is a typical office keyboard. Aesthetics however as a subjective matter and there are those who will appreciate the simplistic appearance of the Gram Spectrum, especially users who dislike the tallness of typical mechanical keyboards.
The software of the Gram Spectrum is acceptable but could use some upgrades. As a keyboard, the fully programmable Gram Spectrum has virtually unlimited potential, but for gaming use it is hampered by the simplistic, unsophisticated software that allows only for very basic macro programming and advanced commands. Tesoro’s software is basically limited to the remapping of the keys and basic keystroke macro commands, forcing everyone who would like to execute more advanced macros or text input commands to use external applications.
Overall, the Tesoro Gram Spectrum is a very good keyboard, especially for users that combine professional use with gaming. It is subtle, well made, features RGB lighting and is fully programmable. The low profile keys are more of an aesthetic rather than a practical upgrade, and while they aren't well suited for typists, they will definitely be appealing to gamers who dislike the height of mechanical keyboards. LAN gamers will also appreciate the compactness of the keyboard and the removable cable.
The only serious drawback that the Gram Spectrum has is its retail price. It can be found retailing for $130 at the time of this review, which is steep for a keyboard based on Kailh switches and without any extra keys or special functions. This puts the Gram Spectrum in a bit of a difficult spot, placing it directly opposite some very good keyboards from numerous other manufacturers.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
27 Comments
View All Comments
NeonFlak - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
Specifically with Red switches.Samus - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
If you have a microcenter near you, they have most mechanical keyboards in most switch configurations on demo! It's really a buy based on comfort decision. A cheap mechanical keyboard just isn't worth it after you consider you will have this keyboard for probably 10 years. I've had my das keyboard for 7 and all I've ever done is clean it by removing all the caps with a key puller and soaking them in soap overnight. I added red orings to further quiet down the brown switches from bottoming out "clank" so my partner isn't woken up late at night by the hammer.As far as the best mechanical keyboard under $100? Well, corsair, cooler master and many others have them in the $60 range with cherry switches. It's a gamble to go lower because you won't get genuine switches, which in all reality might be adequate, but again, why take the risk? Remember, you will have this thing for s decade just make sure you get genuine switches and a decently weighted keyboard.
I have the Cooler Master Storm Rapid for lan party's, also with brown switches. It was $60. But it's a compact without a number pad, which honestly sucks for general use. For a LAN party it's fine, but even simple things like entering a login pin are undesirable without a numeric pad.
So basically spend the extra $10 and get the full 104 keys. Maybe even spend another $10 for the TK model with backlit keys. Your still under $100.
pjcamp - Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - link
Do you plan to use anything but Windows? Because if you ever venture over into Linux, you lose major functionality on most keyboards. They are dependent on a Windows-specific utility for settings and optimization. Exceptions are the CODE keyboard and anything from Ducky.theduckofdeath - Thursday, August 25, 2016 - link
Cooler Master QuickFire is what I'd recommend. Not so much bling, just the essentials.They come in three size variations, I think. Full size, ten key-less and ten key (where the arrow key section is removed/integrated into the ten key section).
The backlight LED's doesn't do many fancy things except for bringing light. And they're the colour of the Cherry MX type in the keyboard, though the ones with brown switches had white LED's.
The build quality is pretty flawless, I think. A thick metal plate inside makes the keyboard sturdy as a rock and gives you a distinct feedback on key presses.
BrokenCrayons - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
RGB...Rainbow Dash fans everywhere are probably getting excited to see another keyboard that can make playing computer games in dark, lonely apartment living rooms more comforting.AcidSnow - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
If the keyboard doesn't have a wrist-rest, I automatically have zero interest.Samus - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
That's ridiculous. You can add a custom wrist pad to any keyboard, even mechanical ones (which require a thicker pad because of their additional height. Graffiti makes some really nice ones in different materials and surfaces, and you can even buy wood wrist rests made in Japan.https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboards-MacBoo...
https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Slip-Material-Keyboard...
Srikzquest - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
Hi Fylladitakis, Can you suggest a Ten key less (87) Wireless Keyboard (Ideally Mechanical). I tried searching but couldn't find any. There are full keyboards available but not TKL. I found few which say TKL wireless but they are basically HTPC keyboards (without independent Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys). Thanks...rib3 - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
Varmillo VB87M ?I dont have first hand experience, but it seems decent.
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=p...
(available in other switch types)
It's often on massdrop (drop active for 8 more days)
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-vb87m-bluetoo...
Srikzquest - Monday, August 22, 2016 - link
Awesome, Thanks a lot, this is exactly what I am looking for. One more question, I don't play games and primarily looking for Development work (and ideally should be silent so not to disturb others). So, Cherry Mx Brown would be ideal right or do you think other switches serve me better?