Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum Keyboard Review

By Meng Vang

Manufacturer: TESORO Technology, Inc.
Product Name: Excalibur SE Spectrum Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Model Number: TS-G7SFL-SE BK
UPC: 732330415437
Price As Tested: $99.99 (Newegg | Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Tesoro.

Most of us are familiar to standard mechanical switches found in popular gaming keyboards. Standard Cherry, Kailh, and TTC switches share similar designs using physical metal on metal contacts to register a keystroke. With the Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum, this keyboard utilizes optical key switch technology. Each key uses an infrared sensor to detect when the key is registered. This design eliminates metal on metal contacts and boosts the keystroke life cycle from 50 million to an insane 100 million. It also has per key back lighting, a spill and rust resistant design, and internal drill holes in case of spills. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, let’s take a look at the Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum with blue optical switches.

• Optical key switch technology
• Advanced anti-dust and spill resistance
• Hot swappable key switches
• 100 million keystrokes
• Force: 60+/-15g
• Travel: 4.0-0.5mm
• Actuation: 2.2+/-0.6mm
• Multi-color per key backlighting
• 10 Modes of backlighting effects
• 6-key /N-key rollover options
• 4 level adjustable repeat acceleration
• Driverless set-up
• Keyboard Reset hotkey
• Windows key Lock, Keyboard Lock, FN key Lock
• Instant Macro Recording, Static Lighting Recording, Dynamic Lighting Recording

The Excalibur SE Spectrum performs great with its Tesoro Optical Blue switches. Over the few weeks I spent testing this keyboard, I have not experienced any problems with the switches. In the past, I have experienced double clicking errors with a few Cherry MX switches, so I have high expectations for these optical switches and hope they will last longer than my other mechanical keyboards.

When it comes to appearance, there is nothing too flashy about the Excalibur SE Spectrum. It looks very simple with LED back lighting features. Color reproduction was not the best, but the colors were mostly vivid. Because the keyboard could only cycle through seven colors, the wave effect did not transition smoothly from color to color.

The optical switches are well-built, but the body construction was something else. On my unit, I experienced a lot of creaking noises coming off the body of the keyboard when re-positioning it. Even pushing down on my desk had the keyboard creaking a bit. I did tightened up the screws, but the problem remained. Some white lithium grease solved this creaking noise problem by greasing up the mating surfaces for the top and bottom plastic covers. This may only be a problem to my unit, but if yours is the same, you got some advice to fix it.

In terms of functionality, the Excalibur SE Spectrum did everything it should. It works great as a gaming keyboard and it is comfortable to type on. Customizing light settings can be a bit confusing at first, but it gets easier once you are familiar with it.

As of May 2017, the Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum mechanical gaming keyboard sells online for an affordable price of $99.99 (Newegg | Amazon). It includes a lot of features from other mechanical gaming keyboards, such as RGB lighting, macro recording, and n-key rollover. The keyboard may not have Cherry MX switches, but that is how Tesoro made the Excalibur SE Spectrum affordable.

The optical switches have no metal contacts, which results in less manufacturing time without soldering a bunch of metal parts together. This means no corrosion or rust to worry about. If water spills on the keyboard, drain holes are present to control water flow and the switches remain rust free. If you find your keyboard double typing often, take a look at the Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum. It might make you think twice before you “switch” back to a standard mechanical keyboard.
+ Good value
+ Good RGB color accuracy
+ Simple yet elegant design
+ Spill and rust resistant design
+ Optical Blue switches with 100 million clicks
– Not a full RGB keyboard with just seven colors to choose from
– Creaking noises from body construction (although it could only be my unit)

• Performance: 9.25
• Appearance: 8.75
• Construction: 8.25
• Functionality: 8.50
• Value: 9.25

Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award