Tesoro Excalibur Spectrum Mechanical Keyboard Review

Performance

As stated earlier, the Excalibur comes in three different types of switches. The switches are brown, blue, and red. Each have their own distinct style. I received the Kailh brown switch. I believe that the brown switches are made for both the typist and gamer alike. The red would be for gamers, while the blue would be for your everyday use. Tesoro sort of states the same thing about their Kailh switches. This particular brown switch really does have a low actuation. Only pressing the keys down about one quarter of the way would get the job done. There is no clicks while typing, but the Excalibur does leave a perceptible feedback. To some that might be a bit of a problem. Myself, likes to hear that the keystrokes I am pressing are working.

I used the Excalibur for my everyday use of writing reviews and posting news, while also doing the little bit of gaming I could get done over the last few weeks. The Excalibur does not come with any type of dedicated keys for things like macros. Instead Tesoro went with using a function key. In doing so, the Excalibur Spectrum has a very simple professional look to it. Nobody knew the difference while I worked at my office. By using the function keys I was able to turn the RGB lights off and no one was the wiser. I really liked the thought of being able to do things like that, yet be able to show off my gear when my friends showed up. When playing games I really didn’t have much of a problem switching between profiles or using my macro keys I implanted. I really didn’t see any difference from using this keyboard or the 700K that I own from cougar. Quite frankly, I believe that the extra keys other keyboards employ gives those keyboards a bulky look to them. Maybe I am just a bit more traditional. Another cool feature that the Excalibur Spectrum has, is the 512k of on board memory. Once you have downloaded the software and set up your profiles, you are able to just plug in play where ever you may be. Only complaint I would have is that the Excalibur does not come with any support for the wrist. Therefore, if you decided to buy this keyboard, make sure that you invest into a wrist rest. If not, the Excalibur can get a bit uncomfortable during long periods of use.

Software

Tesoro does not send a CD for their software. You have to go and download the software from their website. Downloading the software from their website is a bit confusing at first. Tesoro does not have a tab dedicated for their software on their website. The is found in the support page of their website. Another confusing aspect is that Tesoro doesn’t list it under downloadable software. Software is not even listed! In the support page you will see the words downloadable drivers. Find the name of the keyboard (Excalibur) and click on it. This will download the software that is needed to control the Excalibur Spectrum.

This software does not control all of Tesoro’s devices like Cougar does with their UIX. Therefore, make sure you download the right one. The software has a simple design to it. Main colors are purple and silver much like the colors of Tesoro’s logo. There is a picture of King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, in the top left corner. In the bottom left hand corner, you will notice all the tabs for the changeable features of the keyboard, which are macro setting, Sync program, illumination, key assignment, disable, lighting effects, launch program, and default. Each tab has it uses and most are self explanatory. The software is truly not rocket science and is fairly easy to use. Above the picture of the keyboard is the 6 profiles to choose from. Starting with PC mode. In PC mode you are only able to change the lighting of the keyboard, no macros, or key assignments.

Once you have selected a profile you are able to start messing with the features. You are able to record your desired macros using the macro tab. You are also able to set up delay and repeat times for the macros. The sync tab allows you to sync your profile with any game. Therefore, once you launch the game you are wanting to play, the keyboard automatically launches the profile for that specified game. Illumination and lighting effects controls the lights for the Excalibur. In illumination you are able to pick between 9 preset color. You are also able to choose the exact color by sliding the arrow back and forth. The Excalibur comes with 16.8 million colors. Lighting effects controls the type of lighting the keyboard is showing. The keyboard features 7 backlighting modes: trigger, ripple, firework, radiation, breathing, wave marquee, and spectrum/full board mode. Other features of the keyboard’s software is being able to completely remap, disable, or even use a key to launch a program. The last tab takes the Excalibur back to default settings.

There we have it! The Excalibur Spectrum brought to us by Tesoro! Let us cover a few final thoughts in the conclusion of our review.