Overview of current keyboard switches (switches). Mechanical Keyboard Technical Specifications - Excalibur SE Spectrum

Interest in keyboards with mechanical switches has grown significantly in recent years, but the principle itself has been around for decades. Tesoro decided to move to a new evolutionary stage with the introduction of its own optical switches. Our test lab has just received an Excalibur SE Spectrum keyboard with new switches.

Conventional mechanical keyboards use microswitches that operate when a key is pressed. They use a metal contact that can oxidize or wear out over time. As a result, the switch will fail. Of course, manufacturers have long thought about improving contacts, the same Cherry uses Gold Crosspoint technology, which extends the life of contacts and reduces the risk of failure of switches. Still, the need for alternative technologies remains. Optical switches are a possible alternative. Tesoro just brought the new Tesoro Optical Switches to the market, and the Excalibur SE Spectrum keyboard based on them arrived in our test lab.

Tesoro has been developing optical switches for quite some time now. For the first time they were. History repeated itself at the DreamHack conference, where. Tesoro has sent the Excalibur SE Spectrum keyboard to our test lab, which most likely will not be available for sale. Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum with Tesoro Optical Switches appears to be a test platform. Therefore, in the article we will focus not so much on the Excalibur SE Spectrum keyboard, but rather on the optical switches. The new Optical Switches will be available to consumers as an upgrade option for the keyboard.

Technical Specifications - Excalibur SE Spectrum:

Switches: Tesoro Optical Switches, Blue
Actuation force: 60 g
Stroke before actuation: 2.2 mm
Stroke to foot: 4 mm
Lifespan: 100 million clicks
Key Rollover: 6-key / N-key
Backlight: RGB
Cable: 1.8 m, plain braid
Benefits: New optical switches, splash proof
Dimensions: 45 x 15 x 3.4 cm
Weight: 1.24kg
Price: no sales planned

The keyboard in detail

Tesoro offers several models of Excalibur keyboards. All models are made in a classic design, they are full-size, that is, they also contain a digital panel. The Excalibur SE Spectrum keyboard is no exception. But behind the classic façade lies an innovative optical switch technology. Thanks to the built-in RGB backlighting, the keys can be illuminated in different colors of the rainbow, various effects are available. But Tesoro does not include software, so all settings (not just backlights) will have to be done directly on the keyboard. As for the lighting effects, we were missing a traveling wave. However, most users still prefer static lighting.

Of course, the usual gaming functions are supported, such as Full N-Key / 6 Key Rollover, it is possible to lock the Windows key. You can even record macros, recording starts when you press the Fn + Home combination. You can use the secondary function of the F1 to F4 keys to call macros. Tesoro has added a sticker with available keyboard shortcuts to keep users from getting confused.

The Excalibur SE Spectrum keyboard connects to the system with a 1.8m USB cable. The keyboard is mounted on four rubber feet, the two rear feet fold back to give the keyboard an extra tilt. From the outside, you can't tell that the Excalibur SE Spectrum uses any special microswitches.

And in appearance, the switches do not differ much from other models. Tesoro used the familiar cross-type keycap mount familiar from Cherry switches. And the switches themselves are made in a transparent case, through which the RGB LEDs, mounted above the mounts, shine through. Unless, from the Tesoro inscription on the switches, you can guess that we have a special model in front of us.

To show how the switches work, below we give a sectional diagram of the structure of the switches. At first glance, Tesoro Optical Switches have many similarities to conventional switches. The keycaps fit over the cross mount. The latter, in turn, is supported by the lowering by a spring. When pressing the key, it is necessary to overcome the resistance of the spring. But optical switches have no mechanical contacts. Instead, when pressed, the infrared beam is blocked.

When pressed, the infrared light beam is interrupted, the key is triggered. Tesoro showed how the switches work not only in the diagram, but also in the video:

There are several advantages to the absence of mechanical contacts. The problem of mechanical wear of contacts is a thing of the past. And the IR beam cannot rust. It is not in vain that Tesoro points out a very decent lifespan of 100 million clicks. Popular Cherry MX switches have "only" 50 million clicks. However, this amount is more than enough for intensive use of the keyboard for many years. In addition, it is difficult to verify such statements by manufacturers. But it is quite logical that optical switches have less wear than mechanical switches. Finally, the optical switches are protected from dust and water droplets. Therefore, a keyboard with such switches will withstand not only heavy use, but also "accidents" with spills.

Gamers will be interested in another advantage. Using a photocell for key actuation results in shorter delays than mechanical switches. Tesoro specifies a response time of the switches of 0.1 ms. Unfortunately, the specifications of competing switches, for example, from the same Cherry, are missing. In addition, the response time of the keyboard itself may be longer.

Practical tests

Admittedly, we expected a slightly different tactile feel from the Optical Switches Blue. As you might expect, replacing mechanics with optics should reduce tactile feedback. But Blue switches neutralize this effect. As in the case of Cherry MX Blue, Tesoro opted for click and tactile switches with 60g actuation force. The actuation point is felt, the keys emit a loud 'click', so typing errors are unlikely to occur. The travel to the 2.2mm actuation point is slightly longer than the Cherry MX Blue switches, but in practice this is not noticeable. In terms of noise level, the switches are comparable to MX Blue. The keyboard is unlikely to be used in an office environment, or if you have neighbors in the room, otherwise it will quickly become annoying.

As with the MX Blue, click and tactile switches are not the best option for gamers. Gamers still prefer linear switches. Tesoro plans to introduce other optical switch options in the future that will suit gamers better. In addition, with the new options, it will be possible to change the optical switches on the keyboard. As a result, you can use different types of switches on your keyboard, allowing you to create custom layouts. And the service life of the keyboard can be increased. If the switch breaks, it can simply be replaced.

Conclusion

The operating principle of optical switches is very different from traditional mechanical models. But in practice, we did not notice much difference - at least in the case of the Blue switches used. The lag of the switches is less, but in games we could not find any differences from the typical gaming keyboard on mechanical switches (the same Cherry MX).

On the other hand, and it's good that the tactile sensations are not much different from conventional mechanical switches. You won't have to get used to them. If you are comfortable with Cherry MX Blue switches, then Optical Switches Blue is easy to switch to. If you are typing long texts, you can take advantage of less wear on the optical switches - the keyboard will last longer. Also, the pluses include protection from dust and water drops.

As a result, optical switches are unlikely to make traditional mechanical switches obsolete. But Tesoro's microswitches will cheer up the market. Blue Optical Switches are a very worthy alternative to click and tactile switches from other manufacturers. We will not get revolutionary changes, but someone may well like the advantages of optical switches.

Tesoro Optical Switches Benefits:

Less wear on switches, longer service life
Declared faster switch response times
Protected against dust and water droplets
Replaceable switches

Disadvantages of Tesoro Optical Switches:

Blue switches are quite noisy, like Cherry MX Blue switches, so they are hardly suitable for an office environment.

The range of gaming peripherals from A4Tech has been expanded with the Bloody B860 keyboard, which has Light Strike optical switches in all keys, and is also waterproof and backlit. Let's take a closer look at the keyboard.

Specifications

Keyboard type: wired
Number of Keys: 104
Switches: Light Strike Blue, optical-mechanical
Switch resource: 100 million clicks
Backlight: only orange
Number of simultaneous clicks: unlimited
Interface: USB 2.0
Port polling rate: 1000 Hz
Wire length: 1.8 m
Dimensions (length × width × height): 461 x 233 x 39 mm
Weight: 1170 g
Recommended retail price: 110 USD

Equipment

A4Tech Bloody B860 comes in a simple dark colored cardboard box. On the front, in the center, there is a bloody palm mark, and to the right is the left side of the keyboard with a special support for the left wrist attached. The back of the package contains information about the switches used and the key characteristics of the keyboard. Package Included:

User's Manual;
replaceable caps for game keys in orange (8 pieces QWERASDF);
tool for removing key caps;
left wrist rest with screw for securing.

Design

The A4Tech Bloody B860 keyboard has undoubtedly an original design, the key component of which is an aluminum plate.

The edges of the plate are processed and safe, the keys are placed above its surface, that is, in front of us is the so-called skeletal layout.

On the reverse side, the keyboard case is covered with translucent plastic. Conveniently reclining legs are provided to change the angle of inclination of the keyboard relative to the table surface. Four rubberized plates at the corners of the back of the keyboard provide a good grip on the table surface and effectively prevent accidental movement.

The key mechanisms are protected by a silicone waterproof layer and a 6 mm high barrier that provides protection from moisture.

This means that if you accidentally spill liquid on the keyboard, it should remain functional.

There is a special opening in the upper right corner of the keyboard, which is proposed to be used as a stand for a smartphone. In this case, the smartphone is positioned vertically, and the user will always notice event alerts on his screen with his peripheral vision, without being distracted from the game or work.

There are no additional keys on the keyboard, such as multimedia.

The Cyrillic and Latin fonts are the same height, but the Cyrillic characters are slightly narrower than the Latin ones. At the same time, the symbols are applied side by side, the distance between two adjacent ones is slightly more than 1 mm, as a result they merge, which interferes with the search for the desired key for those who do not know the touch typing method. The backlighting LEDs are located on the upper side of the keys, so the symbols on the keycaps are also pressed against the top edge, which ensures uniform backlighting.

On the right side of the keyboard, just above the Ins, Hm, PgUp keys, are the NumLock, WinLock (Gaming mode), ScrollLock and CapsLock indicators.

The Enter key is one-story.

The keycaps have a cylindrical groove for the finger pads. The bottom corners of the keys are cut off, apparently for the sake of an original look.

The height of the keys is 10 mm, the travel to actuation is 3 mm, the total travel is 5 mm. The A4Tech Bloody B860 keyboard uses Light Strike Blue optical-mechanical switches.

Traditionally, mechanical switches in Blue color are considered the optimal solution for typing: the moment of activation is accompanied by a characteristic sound, and the user tactilely senses that some resistance has been overcome. In the case of optical-mechanical switches, there is no tactile sensation, since there is no corresponding mechanism, instead an infrared ray is used, which, when a key is pressed, hits the receiver, as a result of which a symbol is sent. This solution provides a minimal time delay of just 0.2ms. In the case of mechanical switches, the delay can be between 18 and 30 ms, although it is unlikely that small values can be noticed by the user. As for the sound accompanying pressing, the so-called click, it is realized through a special mechanism for which the technology is involved - LK Sound Creator Tech. In simple terms - there is a click here, and it sounds clear and loud.

It is promised that the click will be clear and well heard for a very long time.

The LK switch uses a spring to return the key to its original position. Therefore, the switches cannot be called purely optical, although if we consider only the aspect of circuit closure, then this is a purely optical solution. The LK switches are promised a resource of 100 million clicks.

If you look at the keyboard from the side, you will notice that the rows with the keys are located at a certain angle, forming an arc. This should provide better ergonomics for use.

The included eight replacement caps are color coded and have a silicone coating that can be felt tactilely with your fingertips.

By using the Fn modifier in combination with the function keys F1 through F7, you can control the volume level in the system and the media player. The combination of Fn and F8 deactivates the Win key. The combination of Fn and up / down arrows allows you to adjust the brightness of the backlight.

The backlighting here is implemented in one color, but it does not help much to distinguish between symbols of different layouts due to their almost identical size and close location.

The manufacturer separately notes that the wide space bar in this model was specially reinforced with two screws, which should have a positive effect on the reliability of its operation.

The included keyboard support for the left wrist is made of rubberized plastic, pleasant to the touch and flexible. The stand is fixed in the slots on the keyboard and is secured with the supplied screw. During gaming marathons, the stand provides good support for the wrist.

The keyboard wire is protected by a black and red textile braid, and the red plug is equipped with an embossed palm print and Bloody lettering.

A special proprietary application is used to record macros and assign them to keys.

KeyDominator software

The proprietary KeyDominator application can be downloaded from the official Bloody website (you can simply follow the link indicated in the “User's Manual” book). The application provides ample opportunities for creating macros and assigning them to keys for quick launch. The interface is understandable, as it is almost completely translated into Russian.

In the Button section, you can assign already created macros to any keys. To make changes to the settings of the keys, you need to press the desired key with the mouse cursor on the keyboard projection in order to add the desired button to the list on the right, in which you can set the desired action or macro for each individual key. All actions are categorized for easy navigation.

The app is universal and works with all Bloody keyboards, so RGB Animation is not available for the B860.

In the Oscar Macro section using the editor of the same name, you can create macros. The interface is not the most obvious, but with the right patience, everything works out.

The Super-Combo section allows you to use the simplified Combo interface to create simple macros, usually consisting of one action, which, for example, must be repeated when you hold down a key. Convenient when farming.

Practice

We tested the Bloody B860 keyboard in games such as CS: GO, Dota2, WoW, Starcaft II and Arma 3. The additional left wrist rest proved to be really comfortable: during long battles, the hand gets noticeably less tired. Note also that the stand is stain resistant.

The created macros were called and processed without any problems. During the tests, it was found that the Fn modifier key periodically stuck, which turned out to be an unpleasant surprise. It remains to be hoped that we were simply out of luck with a specific instance of the keyboard.

Tactilely, the LK keys are pressed with effort, like in Cherry MX Blue, with a clearly audible click, but without overcoming some resistance at the moment of operation. Therefore, they feel more like Cherry MX Red. At the same time, the travel to actuation of the Cherry MX is 0.8 mm shorter than that of the LK switches, but in real use this difference is unlikely to be felt by most users. In general, we have no complaints about the operation of the LK optical-mechanical switches, the keyboard is quite suitable for regular use in writing and playing games.

Diagnosis

The A4Tech Bloody B860 gaming keyboard is notable for its appearance and the optical-mechanical Light Strike switches used in it. Badly implemented Cyrillic characters are a fly in the ointment - they are hard to read. On the other hand, users will surely like the comfortable left wrist rest and the keyboard's protection against accidental spills. In addition, the proprietary KeyDominator application allows you to create macros of varying degrees of complexity and assign them to selected keys.

Comfortable left wrist rest
Flexible options for creating macros
Original keyboard design
Protected against accidental spills

Contra:

Cyrillic font merges with Latin

In this review, we'll take a look at the different types of switches that are used in modern keyboards.

History

In the 1980s, during the early days of computers, all keyboards were mechanical. Cherry, which has been producing mechanical switches since 1953, especially distinguished itself. However, over time, competitors (including Apple and Microsoft) decided that they knew what was best for the user - and began to use sensitive membrane pads in their keyboards.

Manufacturers have tried other solutions (capacitive, reed), but they did not become popular. Now progress does not stand still, new technological methods are still appearing - for example, an opto-mechanical switch from Razer.

Mechanical switches

The key difference between mechanical keyboards and the rest is that they have break contacts. The bottom line is that when a person presses the button, the registration of pressing (triggering) occurs exactly in the middle of the stroke (usually two millimeters). In a membrane keyboard, the button must be pressed to the very end for it to work.

Mechanical keyboards are more expensive due to their more complex design. A separate mechanism is responsible for pressing the button, in addition, gold-plated contacts are often used.

Mechanical keyboard switches are durable and will feel exactly the same after a few years of use (whereas membrane switches will press down tighter over time due to the hardening of the rubber domes). Another plus important for many - the mechanics supports an unlimited number of simultaneous presses.

The disadvantages include high noise during operation and a rather "biting" price.

Mechanical switches are not all the same, they have four subspecies highlighted in the Cherry MX series:

Blue... Suitable primarily for those who type a lot. They have a tactile feedback (a characteristic click when pressed). This view is the loudest and is similar to a typewriter in its sound.
Brown They belong to the universal switches - they also have tactile feedback, but the click is much quieter than the blue ones. Less pressing force is required to trigger. The option is suitable for both those who type a lot and gamers. There is a proprietary development of Logitech Romer-G - the same Brown, but with a shortened stroke and an output under the LED.
Black... Purely gaming keyboard switches. There is no tactile feedback, but in games it is not required, since the player always pushes the buttons all the way. There is a plus for typing: due to the high pressing force that black switches require, there is no risk of accidentally touching the adjacent buttons.
Red... Also considered game switches. Requires low pressure, no tactile feedback. Red switches are quiet enough. Many people think that they are not suitable for printing, but this is an individual question, you need to try. Of the proprietary developments, SteelSeries QS1 is the most similar to such switches, but the course of the latter is shorter.
RGB Black / Red/ Brown/ Blue... A special category that differs only in the ability to connect LEDs.

It is important to remember that a mechanical keyboard does not add skill or advantage to gaming; however, according to most users, it improves the comfort of using the computer.

Hybrid Capacitive Switches

The only example of such switches on the market today is from Topre in Japan. Their design is mechanical, but a special sensor is used to register pressing - it measures the capacitance of the contacts at the bottom of the switch, since it changes depending on the pressing force. Triggering is registered only at a given moment and nothing else.

Such keyboards are quieter and softer than linear ones, although they are not inferior in reliability. They show good results both in typing and in games. Unfortunately, they have a high price (up to 10,000 rubles for 2019).

Examples of modern mechanical keyboards

Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum

ASUS (STRIX TACTIC PRO)

Corsair Vengeance K70

Membrane switches

This design consists of:

covers;
plastic vertical rod with a cap at the bottom;
three-layer membrane.

When a person squeezes the key all the way, its rod first touches the upper membrane layer, then "pushes" this first layer through the opening in the second layer, until it touches the lower one. By touching the bottom layer, the cap closes the chain - the signal goes to the computer, the function of the key is triggered. The middle layer is needed to avoid shorting contacts between the first and third layers if the user accidentally touches the button. Therefore, membrane switches only respond to full pressing.

The shape and thickness of the tip cap affects the tactile response, resistance level, and overall key travel. But all such main feature is the so-called "bottoming out" (the need to press the button to the very end for it to work).

Several operational nuances of keyboards with membrane switches:

The key travel is 3.5-4 mm. After stopping, the membrane layer sends it back on its own. In rare keyboards, the stroke is 2-3 mm.
Membrane switch keyboards are definitely the quietest on the market. The fact is that the design does not contain solid elements that can knock against each other, and silicone or rubber gaskets almost completely eliminate the sound of pressing buttons.
Typical lifespan for this type of device is based on 1 million keystrokes per key. But especially high-quality expensive models, which use heavy-duty materials, can withstand 10 million keystrokes per key. However, over time, any caps become less elastic and more sensitive to touch; This factor is influenced by the degree of contamination of the keyboard, vulcanization of rubber due to UV radiation, manufacturing defects or excessive stress on the silicone (rubber) gaskets. As a result, already in the first year of use, there is a difference in the required pressing force between frequently and rarely used keys.
The actuation force of the switches ranges from 25 grams force to 150, but most switches in modern membrane keyboards fall into the category from 60 to 80, that is, an average pressing force is required for the signal to enter the computer.
By their architecture, most membrane switches are not tactile and return a fairly soft "kickback" to the user; in such keyboards, the emphasis is on shock absorption. Some interested persons, who are familiar with the technique, adjust the level of tactility on their own - however, the membrane will still never be able to compete with mechanical keys in this regard.

It should be noted that membrane switches are of two types: domed and flat panel. The latter are not equipped with a rounded gasket-cap and rather resemble flat buttons used, say, in microwave ovens. The travel of such keys is minimal. In computer keyboards, the option is practically not used, although it is rarely built into specialized models (like portable devices for travelers) or, on the contrary, stationary industrial computers.

Examples of modern membrane keyboards

Logitech G213 Prodigy

Razer DeathStalker Essential

Genius Scorpion K9

Plunger switches

There are also plunger switches - a subspecies of membrane switches. In fact, they are the same diaphragm, only slightly improved so that the pressure sensation is closer to the mechanics.

Conventional membrane keyboards have a one-piece key, pressing which immediately transfers pressure to the dome. The sound depends on the softness of the dome and the shape of the key.

In the plunger, the key cap (in the image -1) and the piston or plunger (in the image - 2) are separated. The caps are most often compatible with mechanical switches. The complete plunger switch structure consists of:

1 - key (cap)
2 - plunger (piston)
3 - cap blocker
4 - plunger stabilizer
5 - silicone or rubber dome

Due to the ambiguity of the design, this type of keyboard switches is not very popular.

Examples of modern plunger keyboards

Tesoro lobera

Tt eSports Challenger Edge Pro RGB

Optical switches

Fresh development from Razer.

While traditional mechanisms are based on the physical contact of movable parts with each other, this type of switch uses a completely different design - optical-mechanical.

The key difference is that instead of a physical contact, a light beam is used to provide the signal. When the user presses a key, light from a special optical sensor penetrates the switch and sends a signal to the computer that serves as a command to perform the desired action.

By virtue of their design features, the optical switches are free from any actuation delays. When pressed, a clicking sound is heard, tactile feedback is present.

In use, the Razer Opto-Mechanical feels like the Razer Mechanical Switch, designed specifically for gamers to compete with the mechanical Cherry MX. However, in Opto-Mechanical, the click is triggered exactly at the moment when the click sound is heard. In all previous models, this was not feasible due to the properties of the mechanisms. So, Razer has set a new benchmark in the response speed of switches with its innovation.

Examples of optomechanical keyboards

A4 Tech Bloody B820R

Razer Huntsman

Conclusion

When choosing a gaming keyboard, it is most logical to focus on your personal feelings and preferences.

Mechanical keys have minimal latency, but still have a characteristic click sound when pressed due to their mechanical design. If you like loud keystrokes and a tactile feel, then mechanical switches are for you. If you want to print as quietly as possible, choose membrane. It is unlikely that your skill will suffer from this.

However, if you just want maximum responsiveness to keystrokes, optical switches are your best bet today.

Technical Specifications - Excalibur SE Spectrum:

Switches: Tesoro Optical Switches, Blue
Actuation force: 60 g
Stroke before actuation: 2.2 mm
Stroke to foot: 4 mm
Lifespan: 100 million clicks
Key Rollover: 6-key / N-key
Backlight: RGB
Cable: 1.8 m, plain braid
Benefits: New optical switches, splash proof
Dimensions: 45 x 15 x 3.4 cm
Weight: 1.24kg
Price: no sales planned

The keyboard in detail

When pressed, the infrared light beam is interrupted, the key is triggered. Tesoro showed how the switches work not only in the diagram, but also in the video:

Practical tests

Conclusion

Tesoro Optical Switches Benefits:

Less wear on switches, longer service life
Declared faster switch response times
Protected against dust and water droplets
Replaceable switches

Disadvantages of Tesoro Optical Switches:

Blue switches are quite noisy, like Cherry MX Blue switches, so they are hardly suitable for an office environment.

The Razer Huntsman keyboard features new Razer Opto-Mechanical Switches. These switches feature optical technology for unattainable speed, and a key stabilizer to ensure that every keystroke is timed and accurate. This is the first type of click switch to be redesigned to operate and reset at a single point for high speed performance. Store parameter settings in hybrid on-board storage or cloud storage

The Razer Huntsman Elite features new Razer Opto-Mechanical Switches. These switches feature optical technology for unattainable speed, and a key stabilizer to ensure that every keystroke is timed and accurate. This is the first type of click switch to be redesigned to operate and reset at a single point for high speed performance. The keyboard also has a programmable digital thumbwheel for quick access to various functions. You can store parameter settings in hybrid on-board storage or cloud storage. The keyboard comes with an ergonomic wrist rest for long-term comfort.

Peculiarities

Hybrid internal and cloud storage
Switch life up to 100 million clicks
Razer Chroma ™ lighting

New opto-mechanical switch - soft and clicky
Key stabilizer at the top of the switch for balanced depression
Ergonomic leatherette wrist rest
Razer Chroma ™ lighting
Multifunctional digital thumbwheel with three multimedia keys

Specifications

Razer Synapse 3 Ready
Choice of game mode
Braided cloth cable
Aluminium alloy

Razer ™ Opto-Mechanical Switches with 45 g actuation force
Resource up to 100 million keystrokes
Chroma backlighting with 16.8 million colors
Bottom illumination with 38 customizable zones
Ergonomic bottom-lit wrist rest with 24 customizable zones
Multifunctional digital adjustment wheel
Dedicated media controls
Hybrid internal storage - up to 5 profiles
Razer Synapse 3 Ready
Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
Suppression of phantom clicks when simultaneously pressing 10 keys
Game Mode
Braided cloth cable
Ultrapolling 1000 Hz polling rate
Aluminium alloy