Tesoro Tizona G2N-P Elite Mechanical Numpad
The Tizona 20% Numpad. This numpad is the 20% of the Tizona and this numpad is also using mechanical Kailh switches. So it is possible to combine different switch like a Tizona keyboard that uses Black Kailh keys then pairing it up with a Tizona Numpad that uses blue Kailh keys. Now that’s what I call fully modular keyboard.
Let’s go ahead and take a closer look of the numpad.
Let’s start off with the cable included, this is a 1.8m extended braided cable. Tesoro decided to include this cable for possible reasons such as if the user wants to use the numpad and keyboard separately or something like wanting to use the two USB hub option of the keyboard itself. Another possible reason for this is if the user bought the numpad only for specific purposes since the cable attached on the numpad is quite short. Why too short? for those reasons like wanting to attach the numpad to the keyboard so rather than using the long cable, just snap the numpad and plug the usb cable to one of the USB hub available on the keyboard.
The 1.8m extended braided cables USB plug is not of gold plated and the female USB plug is marked with white connector signifying that the cable is of 2.0 USB only but don’t worry since the cable itself is quality and if you have the Tizona keyboard, then this cable is pretty much an extender to all usb devices. Lovely! Who doesn’t want a extended smartphone charger :).
Since the Tizona keyboard that we have uses the Red Kailh keys, Tesoro gave us the Tizona numpad with Red Kailh keys as well. A close look at the switch keys of the numpad.
Like the Tizona keyboard, the numpad is also equipped with two strong magnets that locks the numpad up in place side by side with the Tizona keyboard. The Tizona numpad is equipped with gold plated USB plug which you can attach to one of the side of the keyboard to get the 100% Tizona.
The back of the numpad features two feet stands that can be adjusted in 3 possible positions like the keyboard and a short USB gold plated plug that can be position from left to right or right to left whichever suits your preference when attaching it to the keyboard.
The back also features the numpad compliance, power rating, model number, and the logo.
The numpad is equipped with one long rubberized feet to prevent it from sliding when in use.
The numpad key caps are not laser etch just like the Tizona keyboard. Probably to cut the price off but I like the feeling of the keys on my fingers.
And that concludes our closer look of the Tizona keyboard and the Tizona numpad which makes up for the Tizona set.
Testing
Like always here in Back2Gaming labs, we never let any possible chance to pass by when it comes to testing products. Now we will test if the Tizona is a true 6-NKey Full-NKey keyboard by testing it via Microsoft Keyboard Ghosting Test. That way, we can also test if the Tizona is having issues with ghosting.
During our test for the Tizona, I found out that our tester doesn’t record the “-” key whenever pushed. First, I thought that the keyboard is experiencing ghosting but after further testing, the Tizona is a true gaming keyboard and it doesn’t have any issues with ghosting. Also, the Tizona is a true 6-NKey Full-NKey keyboard. You can switch it by pressing FN key + Ins for 6-NKey mode or FN+Del for Full-NKey mode.
Gaming Mode
Nothing to say much about here since the experience is quite typical and normal for gaming grade mech-keyboard. You will not be disappointed by the performance. The Tizona itself is solid in overall performance. Quick response rate with less than 2ms latency which is very important for fast-pace gaming like Moba or FPS games. Tizona being a small form factor keyboard doesn’t compromise its quality however, I felt like something amiss because the keys aren’t programmable which is sad.
The thumb keys are there but I find myself in trouble of its presence since when gaming mode, the function of the keys aren’t useful to most of the games I play. Pretty odd to have it there and I wish that Tesoro made this keys programmable instead of having a fix function per mode.
Conclusion
The Tizona mechanical gaming keyboard offers superb quality but a typical experience like most mechanical keyboards do. Tesoro is helping promote Kailh keys, which deliver a quality feel despite misconceptions stemming from their affordable nature. Kailh is quite bold regarding their products which is directly competing against Cherry MX, which is a good thing as Cherry MX will eventually be backed-up enough by competition to lower their prices which in turn leads to lower mechanical keyboard prices overall. In effect, Tesoro is maneuvering away from the mainstream and have their own unique specifications to offer the world of PC peripherals.
eSports and LAN parties are the primary market of compact/TKL keyboards and Tesoro’s first outing isn’t a necessarily bad call. However, the Tizona doesn’t offer any software for driver or customization which makes the keyboard a non-programmable gaming keyboard. What a bummer! FPS gamers may find this irrelevant but the price range of $89 (₱3878) for the Tizona keyboard alone, there are other options out there that offers fully programmable keys with the same small form factor and experience.
BossMac’s notes: The versatility of the Tizona pair may be a nice touch but it does come with a premium and this premium competes against being compact and one can easily shrug off the difference of a TKL vs. a full layout keyboard. This makes the Tizona set a tough sell and Tesoro would’ve easily made it more attractive by offering both in the same package without the price bump.
If still, you insist on having a keyboard with the unique flexibility only found on the Tesoro Tizona, then the slight premium might just be a small hurdle in your quest for a gaming/work keyboard. With that being said, we award the Tesoro Tizona Keyboard with B2G Recommended Award.