Tesoro Excalibur V2 Review
Category : Keyboards
Published by Luca Rocchi on 30.03.16
With the Excalibur V2, Tesoro offers a gaming keyboard with mechanical switches and standard layout. As with all other high-end gaming keyobards these days also this one features a backlight and there are different macro modes. Apart from that Tesoro chose to use very solid plastic for this keyboard, which adds a lot to the stability and the overall feel.
Today we are going to have a close look at the Excalibur V2 keyboard from Tesoro. Our sample is equipped with Kailh Blue switches but is also available with other switches as well. On the following pages we will analyze the main features as well as look for any drawbacks of the Tesoro's new gaming keyboard.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Preview
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Features
| Model number | Excalibur V2 |
| Keys | Kailh Blue |
| Keycaps | ABS |
| Materials | ABS |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Cable | 1.8 m |
| Dimensions | 450 mm x 150 mm x 34 mm |
| Weight | 1.30 Kg |
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Closer Look
As soon as you lift the Excalibur V2, you realize how sturdy and solid it actually is. Tesoro has created a keyboard that gives a sense of maximum quality to the user at any time, and it did a pretty good job. The whole keyboard is made of plastic with different finishing, including the wrist rest. The advantage of this standard layout is that the keyboard feature normal size without additional macro or multimedia keys eating up a lot of spacce. This is quite an advantage and especially during LAN parties you'll appreciate the compact form factor. The Excalibur V2 is a mechanical keyboard and it is available with Kailh switches. Our sample is based on Kailh Blue switches which provide good tactile feedback. A quick look around shows there is a USB hub but there are no audio jacks. In order to program macros you can use the software, which you download from the manufacturers website.
Back
The back of this particular keyboard isn't special. There is the usual label showing the serial of the product and there are four rubber feet, on in each corner. Obviously there are two small feet, also with rubber ends, which allow for tilting the keyboard to a certain angle.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Software
The installation CD as well as the user manual are wrapped in a practical, small cardboard box, which would be hard to lose. Furthermore the latest version of the software is also available on the official website from Tesoro. A manual is always useful but it is not necessary, just connect the keyboard and then start to use it but if you want use the macros, you should definitely check out the manual. The user interface is the same as with any other Tesoro product, very minimal and with some options slightly hidden. The settings can be imported and exported, which is useful if you want to compare them with your friends.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Conclusion
| General | + | - | |
| Our global verdict about this keyboard is generally positive as Tesoro managed to create a solid product. We like the fact that this keyboard is heavy, features simple, standard design and therefore also a standard layout. Apart from that there is a blue backlight, which is clear and precise and definitely bright enough. |
- Weight
- Lightning effects |
||
| Manufacturing quality / Ergonomics | + | - | |
| The Tesoro Excalibur V2 gaming keyboard is comfortable to use. All the keys are well placed and easy to reach so you will not find yourself pressing the wrong key by accident. There are programmable F-buttons, through which you can access makros by pressing FN and the corresponding F-key. In addition there are also multimedia functions already programmed. Regarding the Kailh Blue switches we can say, they're precise and linear while providing good tactile feedback. Also the blue backlight is very good and it offers few different lightning effects. |
- Build quality
- Backlight - Switches |
||
| Software | + | - | |
| It's approximately three years since our last review on Tesoro's product and unfortunately there are no news the software front. The software is one of the only downsides of this product, since the graphic user interface is simply not up-to-date in terms of layout and design. We would like to see a clear structure where it's a simple as possible to find all the different settings. | - Not always easy to use | ||
| Recommendation / Price | + | - | |
| The starting price of the Excalibur V2 on Geizhals is 109 euro excluding shipping costs. In terms of value, the keyboard is certainly a good product with attractive features and mechanical switches hovewer we believe that the price is a bit steep. | - Price is a bit steep | ||
| Rating | |||
| We gave the Excalibur V2 from Tesoro 4 out of 5 stars. | |||
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |