Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard Review

Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Overview
As you can see we received the white version of the Gram SE Spectrum, it comes in both white and black versions. The keyboard has pretty much the same design as the original Gram Spectrum albeit with full-size keycaps. This is a full-size keyboard so you have a full compliment of keys as well as a full number pad. One thing I did notice when I picked up the Gram SE Spectrum for the first time is that it had some weight to it, which is always a good thing.

Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard

The function keys at the top of the keyboard also have alternative functions. F1-F5 are for your different gaming profiles. F6 will lock all keys on the keyboard. F7-F12 are your multimedia keys. Print Screen and Scroll Lock are profile color and spectrum color mode. Pause switches between PC and game mode (locking the Windows key). Insert and Delete switch between 6-key and N-key rollover. Home is instant macro recording (hit Fn + Home, record your macro and then hit Fn + Home again). End will lock the function key. Page up will enable static lighting recording. Page down will enable dynamic lighting recording. The arrow keys will also allow you to cycle through brightness and lighting effects. So yes you are able to do all of your lighting settings without software.

Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard

Taking a few keycaps off and seeing what type of switches we have we find Tesoro’s relatively new Optical switches. Tesoro is currently offering these switches in both blue and red options. These will feel like their Cherry MX counterparts so blue switches will have a tactile bump and audible click, while reds will have a more lightweight feel for faster actuation. We of course opted for the blue switches on our review sample. These switches do support Cherry MX keycaps so if you wanted some aftermarket keycaps they are supported here.

Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard

The way these switches differ from a normal mechanical switch is that instead of two metal contacts touching the PCB on each side, which completes a circuit, these key switches use an infrared sensor which optically senses the position of the blue stem and sends an signal once the stem passes through it. These witches have an actuation point of 2.2 mm, with the switches having a total travel of 4 mm. Tesoro also tells us these switches have a lifespan of 100,000 hours, which is 2x that of mechanical switches. For more information on the switches check out the video below.

Flipping the keyboard over to the back we have four large rubber pads on the bottom that will keep it in place when you are typing. Also on the back are two pop-out feet to give you a better angle if needed. The miniUSB connection is on the top right of the keyboard making it easily accessible.

Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard

Taking a look at the keyboard from the side we can see that the first three rows of keys and angled down, the fourth row is pretty much flat, and the last two rows are slightly angled up. These is a pretty standard layout for most gaming keyboards. With the pop-out feet extended you can see that those angles become more drastic.

Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard

Tesoro Gram SE Spectrum Gaming Keyboard

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