I have this keyboard for a bit more then week, so a bit too early for any thorough review.
Anyway, I think I already have something to share. Some background first: I'm professional programmer for 30 years. Mostly using Emacs editor for my daily work. I've already had few RSI episodes, but recently it got worse: pain in my finger joints and metacarpus.
So I started to look for solution. I thought about something like Microsoft or Logitech ergonomic keyboards, but I gave up for two reasons: first, having some experience with mechanical switches I did not want membrane any more. Second: my biggest problem with regular keyboard is Crtl key, which is located as it was the least-used one, not almost-the-most... And those two models do not change anything about it.
Keyboards like EgroDox or Dygma scared me: both with price and with learning curve, which I was afraid to be close to vertical.
I tried 3 various mechanical keyboards in various layouts - but still non-ergo. The fatigue from typing was surely smaller, but, well, I expected something more.
Then, I decided to try x-bows. The selling point for me was Ctrl key placed in the middle. And the fact, that the rest of the layout looked pretty familiar.
First day... ohhhh.... it was a little nightmare... I was mistyping every single word. Typing speed dropped from something like 40-50 to maybe 15.
But this was exactly what I expected. Besides, Ctrl under thumb was such a relief...
In maybe 3 days it was much better, but still slower than before. I need to use typing-tutors to reprogram my muscle-memory.But it gets better with every day. After a week I'm back at 40-50 wpm, but still mistyping more often than I would like to. I expect I will manage to make it better with more practice.
BUT, most important thing is that I'm much better with my RSI aliment. Pain in finger joints is gone. Pains in metacarpus: much smaller and the tendency continues.
Most visible result is my left pointing finger: for a long time, I was not able to bend it to the full extent (relative to the same finger on my right hand). Now I still cannot, but the range I can bend it has significantly grown (50% maybe). I wish I did not make any pictures before, but I did not expect such significant change. Maybe red switches, which are so light to press have something to do with it. But I'm pretty sure it is not only that. Entire layout causes less fatigue when typing. The enter and backspace keys in the middle is something I like very much - despite it takes a while (a decent while...) to get used to it.
This is the most important point. Now some "less important". Build quality is excellent in my opinion. Let's hope it will be as durable as it seems to be. Key-caps are ABS, but it feels much better under your fingers than other ABS key-caps I've tried, e.g. from Keychron. No sticky, rubber-like feeling. I don't like keycaps fonts, but it has absolutely no importance for me - I touch-type: don't have to look at them.. ;)
I do like they left dedicated function-keys row and that function keys are in groups separated by small gap - like in traditional keyboard.
This keyboard has no dedicated Home and End keys. Some people seem not to notice it before purchase. For me it was not a big problem: the keyboard has QMK firmware, so you can remap keys to have home/end anywhere you want (default is F+PgUp/Down).
Besides in Emacs I'm used to use other key-combination for home/end. But for some people it may be a real pain in adaptation phase.
If you consider buying it, you must be aware that this keyboard is, by design, a compromise between ergonomic and traditional layout. For me it seems to work: it is traditional enough not to make me throw it away after 1 day fight and ergonomic enough to give visible results.
I need few more weeks to be sure, but right now I think I will not get back to traditional skewed-keyboards any more.
X-Bows is an Excellent keyboard, solved a few pains I've had when typing over time.
The layout takes a few days to get used to but after that - typing speed and comfort drastically increased.
I've ordered already x2 keyboards (X-Bows Knights, Brown Gateron Switches) for home and work usage, very satisfied from them both.
The 1 year old keyboard is missing lights on 3 keys, probably a glitch but I've enjoyed the keyboard so much so it didn't really bother me.
The wrist rest in my opinion is a must have for every keyboard purchase since there is a need to elevate the hands while typing, the keyboard is quite high due to it's metal base so fingers must be aligned on the same height of the keys - I've bought x2 of those wrist rests for home and work as well, they are sturdy and comfortable.
Using the QMK Toolbox application is an amazing companion for that keyboard, it supports higher levels of customization, specially for the centered keys which made me very productive.
All in all this is an excellent keyboard and I'll recommend it to anyone who types a lot and/or suffers from hands pains/discomfort.
Top quality and made for the X-bows. I'm so glad I didn't rush to a local store and ordered this.
I purchased the DVORAK layout key caps at the same time that I did my X-Bows Knight Plus keyboard (Silent Brown switches).
The key caps are pretty solidly made. I can't say that I anything negative say about them. The quality seems pretty good, they fit nicely on the keyboard. Hardest part was me making the decision to try and switch from a normal QWERTY keyboard to a DVORAK layout ergo keyboard, so I instead opted to just do it in 2 parts, starting with a QWERTY ergo keyboard layout and re-training to learn DVORAK instead.
Excellent build and craftsmanship. The layout is a refreshing improvement over typical keyboards. The center keys are reached with comfort and the "lowered keys" in the "pinky" column do reduce the need to stretch and move your hand to hit the 1 and 0 keys.
My only nit is that the keys to the right of the 'P' key are relatively far away from where your hands rest as compared to a regular keyboard. But this comes from the fact that the 'P' column is aligned so that your pinky only moves up and down. This pushes the '\|' key further to the right compared to where your hands are on a regular keyboard. I used the QMK programmability of the keyboard to remap things to my liking so that I'm not reaching out to the right in any event.
i accidentally entered the wrong address but i was able to email them and fix it quickly. also the keyboard is very good
Sounds and works great on my silver X-Bows Knight Plus :)
It is easy to carry and is perfectly symmetrical except for the right side of the keyboard.
(It is very wonderful that the tabs, etc. are 1u size)
Ever since I started using the X-Bow Nature Keyboard, all of the pain in my wrists have disappeared
Buying my second keyboard from xbows.
I bought the Xbows Nature keyboard years ago and I bought another xbows keyboard now (1 for work & 1 for home) because I like it soo much.
if I can suggest some improvements:
the keyboard software can be improved, eg have more keyboard layouts like Colemak-DHm.
the letters on the keys can be bigger.
このキーボードは私が今まで使ってきた中で最もすばらしいです。最初はキーを覚える必要があるが、手首の負担が無くなった。
職場のために再購入する予定です。
This keyboard is the most wonderful I have ever used. I had to learn the keys at first, but eventually noticed that my wrist was no longer strained.
I plan to repeat my purchase for my workplace.
This Xbow Keyboard is pretty good. The keys are solid, and I am a fan of the ergonomic layout. The case is great to use for traveling. Also its light and thin, so its not a problem to bring anywhere so far. The mouse pad isn't that important for me since I use a seperate wireless mouse but it works as expected.
Overall I would recommend this to people interested in getting an ergonomic or wireless keyboard.
X-Bows Nature Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard (QMK Firmware)
Purchased these to replace the stock switches on my mechanical keyboard and they work just as expected and similar to my other keyboards with Gateron Browns. Price was great too!!!
Switched arrived quickly and in envelope
It took me a few weeks to adapt to the keyboard, but it was well worth the effort. I type all day, so a quality ergonomic keyboard is important. I’m a lifetime X-Bow customer now.
That's a wonderful keyboard. I can type very fast with it. I tried to use ZSA Moonlander I but I couldn't adapt as I adapted to this keyboard. I got the first Nature from Kickstarter and recently I bought the updated version with QMK.
I am in love with this keyboard. I take it to the office when I go there, because any other keyboard is pitiful. My only complaint is that I chose the Mac layout, which means there is no delete key, just multiple backspace keys. I know it's configurable, but it's a bit of effort to get the software up and running.
Oh one other issue - not complaint - I often hit Enter instead of the letter B. That's the only problem I still have after about a month of using it.
The magnetic numberpad is outstanding. The whole setup feels great, very solid, and I love the metallic casing.
I have no intention of ever buying another keyboard - this is just about perfect.
Takes a few days to get used to the layout, but once there, it's great.
Support for QMK is also a must, so you can swap some keys to better suit your language and workflows.
Obviously takes some time to get used to, but worth the effort. Hard work is moved almost entirely to the thumbs and forefingers, and positioning for the little finger is also very useful. Very happy with purchase.
I took around one week to get used to the new keyboard and then felt that my typing work had been significantly improved. I could keep my wrists in natural and comfortable positions, and meanwhile work with a mechanical keyboard. Truly an amazing product!