The Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum Review: A Mechanical Keyboard with Gateron Optical Switches
by E. Fylladitakis on March 20, 2017 9:00 AM ESTPer-Key Quality Testing
In order to test the quality and consistency of a keyboard, we are using a texture analyser that is programmed to measure and display the actuation force of the standard keyboard keys. By measuring the actuation force of every key, the quality and consistency of the keyboard can be quantified. It can also reveal design issues, such as the larger keys being far softer to press than the main keys of the keyboard. The actuation force is measured in Centinewton (cN). Some companies use another figure, gram-force (gf). The conversion formula is 1 cN = 1.02 gf (i.e. they are about the same). A high quality keyboard should be as consistent as possible, with an average actuation force as near to the manufacturer's specs as possible and a disparity of less than ±10%. Greater differences are likely to be perceptible by users. It is worth noting that there is typically variance among keyboards, although most keyboard companies will try and maintain consistency - as with other reviews, we're testing our sample only.
The machine we use for our testing is accurate enough to provide readings with a resolution of 0.1 cN. For wider keys (e.g. Enter, Space Bar, etc.), the measurement is taking place at the center of the key, right above the switch. Note that large keys generally have a lower actuation force even if the actuation point is at the dead center of the key. This is natural, as the size and weight of the keycap reduces the required actuation force. For this reason, we do display the force required to actuate every key but we only use the results of the typical sized keys for our consistency calculations. Still, very low figures on medium sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys reveal design issues and can easily be perceptible by the user.
Even though the switches of the Excalibur SE Spectrum rely on infrared sensors for signaling, the switch’s mechanical design and movements are almost entirely the same as those of a typical mechanical switch. As a result, there are small variations between the switches that are being caused by the inequity of the mechanical parts, like every mechanical keyboard has. The Gateron Blue Optical switch once again almost perfectly copies the Cherry MX Blue variant, with an average actuation force of 51.1 cN across the main keys of the keyboard. The disparity is a little higher than 8%, a relatively high reading in comparison to the <5% figures we normally see on keyboards using original Cherry MX Blue switches, but not high enough to be a cause of concerns. It is next to impossible for someone to discern such small differences by touch.
Hands-on Testing
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. I personally prefer Cherry MX Brown or similar (tactile) switches for such tasks. Cherry MX Blue switches and their variants are not cup of tea because their audible feedback tires me after a while, and that was the case with the Excalibur SE Spectrum as well. That aside, the switches put no strain on my fingers and the tactile feedback was both consistent and practical. However, the lack of a wrist rest proved to be a serious issue for me that sometimes I spend many hours using a keyboard, so I essentially had to “cheat” by using an aftermarket product in order to keep testing the Excalibur SE Spectrum.
For gaming, the Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum has left me with mixed feelings. The audible feedback of the Blue switch variant may not bother some users, and a few users may actually even want it as a feature, but I personally found it distracting and tiring while trying to focus on the game. I also could not use any of my macros because they all make use of complex commands that frequently include mouse movements, which the simplistic recorder of the Excalibur SE Spectrum cannot emulate. With the lack of software allowing at least the ability to reprogram keys into launching external applications, allowing users to launch macros compiled with third-party software, the Excalibur SE Spectrum is limited to very simple, basic key sequence macros that are of very limited use to gamers.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
21 Comments
View All Comments
DanNeely - Monday, March 20, 2017 - link
I suspect part of it is that any ergo layout beyond the most basic (just a split in the center and bending the top inward) will require non-standard key caps. The reason why everyone and his dog is selling a basic mechanical keyboard is that essentially all of the hardware is off the shelf. All you need to do is to write an LED/macro programming app if you want to move into the mid/high tier of the market; at the low end not even that.And even for the most basic design I suspect the thinking goes something like: "1% of users buy mechanical keyboards. 1% buy ergo keyboards. That means the market for an ergo mechanical layout is probably closer to 0.01% of the total keyboard market than 1%, we probably can't sell enough to recoup our investment if we do this."
twtech - Monday, March 20, 2017 - link
I understand that line of thinking, and obviously as neither of us are actually in the business of manufacturing keyboards we can only speculate beyond a certain point.However my counterpoint to that argument would be that most of the people who use split keyboards are people who are at their desks typing for many hours of the day, are often more affluent, and obviously care about the ergonomics of their input devices enough to not be using the stock $2 keyboard that came with the machine - and mechanical keys are also an ergonomic upgrade for frequent typists.
So in my view, it's probably not a simple 1% of 1% type calculation. A programmer who makes 6+ figures and already has to spend $40-100+ for a non-mechanical ergo keyboard seems much more likely to be willing to pay $150-250 for a mechanical model than the average person who uses their computer 1-2 hours a day for gaming only and could buy a better graphics card with that money instead.
Further, when you consider the number of mechanical keyboards already on the market as you mentioned - what percentage of that market share can the average manufacturer hope to capture? Does that even end up being much more than 1% of 1% anyway?
Mickatroid - Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - link
A lot of assumptions there twtech, not a lot of evidence. Sure, if people prefer split keyboards there are good reasons to make one for them though. FWIW I have never seen the point of a 'natural' keyboard and I spend huge amounts of time typing. I have always thought they were for people who were either injured or who had learned the poor technique of holding their fingers up off the keys rather than letting their hands float over the keyboard and pressing down to type (at which point the relationship between the alignment of keys and the arms stops mattering). It is possibly true that people who are into keyboard ergonomics are past the need for a natural keyboard.twtech - Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - link
It's about the positioning of your wrists. A natural/split keyboard allows your wrists to remain straight while typing, which is not otherwise possible (at least unless you have a very narrow chest/waist).Even if you don't have an RSI injury yet - why not reduce stress on your joints and the likelihood that it will become a problem in the future?
Obviously I'm making some assumptions here - and adding in some anecdotal evidence as well based on personal experience - but then, you're not going to be able to do much better in regard to the potential sales of a product that doesn't exist unless you've completed a survey to judge interest.
We do know that Microsoft has been making variants of their natural keyboard design since 1994, and that at launch in 2005 for example the Natural Keyboard 4000 cost $65, which is about $80 in today's money. A mechanical variant would cost more than that obviously, but it does illustrate that natural keyboard users are willing to pay an above-average price for their input device.
mr_tawan - Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - link
https://ergodox-ez.com/ does this one count ?twtech - Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - link
Still different than the MS natural obviously, but still interesting. Thanks for the link.I wonder how easy or difficult it is to get used to non-staggered keys. Some of the symbols, etc., are also in non-standard locations - eg. quotation marks below the Z key.
Still, I'll keep that one in consideration if I end up needing to replace one of my Matias Ergo Pros - I have one that I use at home, and one at work. I already had to replace one of them once because of a coffee accident.
ddriver - Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - link
As usual, the obligatory FUGLY font some idiot somewhere decided has a "gamer" ring to it.And there follows the obligatory "bbbut... it makes it readable". To which I can only say this - if you need to look at what key captions say, you are a looong way from gamer, or even an adequate PC user for that matter.
Zim - Thursday, March 23, 2017 - link
I've got a fever and the only prescription is more keyboard reviews.MamiyaOtaru - Friday, March 24, 2017 - link
been waiting for this. Wonder why they regressed from millions of colors to 8 when going to the IR switchesolive_oil - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
Tesoro is a bad company. My Tesoro keyboard failed and I tried to get warranty service and I just got ignored.Later I found out they run their US business OUT OF A RENTED UPS MAILBOX.
LOL No wonder I wasn't able to get warranty service!