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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,123 
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Post by iowgirl on Nov 18, 2015 15:50:26 GMT
I am Silhouette fan. I had an expression and sold it for the Silhouette Cameo, so I didn't have a ton invested in Cricut carts.
I cut a variety of things for cards and crafts. I like cutting vinyl - and that is super fun to use on cards too - so don't count that out, even if you don't do other craft type things.
I love the Print & Cut feature of the Silhouettes. I know the Cricut Explore can do that too - but I think it has a much smaller cutable area. I have a large format printer - so i like being able to cut on whatever size I want.
The Cricut Explore is 100% internet based, and that just won't work for me. You can not cut a single thing unless you are online, using their online software. You can not cut directly from your carts with it either. So if your internet is down- or their site is down, the machine can not be used.
The Explore will cut heavier material than the Cameo - so if you are looking at heavy chipboard or other things like that - the Explore would probably do a better job of that.
There are Pros and cons to both machines. If you have a ton of cartridges and love those types of images - the Cricut may be the way you want to go. You can upload the ones you have to the online software - but if they are used and registered to someone else - you can not use them.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 18, 2015 17:52:29 GMT
I have both machines and prefer the Silhouette. I have 135 carts for the Cricut, but somehow the Silhouette software was just so easy for me to use. I had the Gypsy for years and the transfer was easy. I also think the ease of not being online is nice.
Both machines have very happy users though and I think either one will make you happy.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 6, 2024 13:41:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2015 17:59:27 GMT
I have both machines, and find it easier to use the Explore and the added benefit of having access to my cartridge images without additional investment. The downside? You have to have internet connection to use it.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,133
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 18, 2015 18:54:57 GMT
A lot may depend on how many Cricut cartridges you own and whether or not you want to stay with the Cricut style of designs.
I started with a Wishblade, moved up to a Bosskut Gazelle, eventually got a Cricut because I liked some of their designs (which grew to 104 carts over time), and two years ago on Black Friday I got a Silhouette Cameo. I have considered also getting the Explore Air, but the online only software requirement bugs me, and I don't need to cut heavy materials.
The only machine I use these days is my Cameo. I love the versatility of the Silhouette software, and my Cameo. I can be lazy and use downloaded designs (which are mine to use forever and only cost about 11 cents per design for most of them, bought with my subscription). I can import and trace an image for cutting, or I can easily design my own cutting files. I recently used Star Wars drawings from online to make unique Star Wars themed Christmas gifts for all my geeky guys.
I saw a demo of the Explore, and it can cut very tiny designs and still keep the details, better than the Cameo, but honestly, I have not needed to cut anything that tiny. For what I tend to cut, you can't tell a difference. The Cameo does cut details very well, too, just not quite as well as the Explore from what I saw. I asked the gal demonstrating the Explore to cut a doily at about a one inch size. It was impressive, but I have no real need for one inch doilies. I scrap 12x12 pages, and I make cards. The Cameo does a great job for me.
Both machines have more of a learning curve than the baby bug or the Expressions. However, in a recent thread, someone with both machines said the learning curve of the Explore was the easier of the two machines.
I suggest you look at designs offered by the two different companies, consider the differences in their subscriptions, think about how much time you have to learn new software, whether having to be online matters to you, and if the ability to cut unique designs not offered by either company is important to you. I love that last ability of the Cameo, I prefer their subscription plans, and I don't have to be online to use the machine.
However, if you love the Cricut designs, have a lot of money invested in cartridges, have no interest in ever designing anything yourself, and do mini albums that require heavy chipboard, then you might prefer the Explore. (I cut thin chipboard with my Cameo, but I usually cut and layer three pieces to make a chipboard mini album.)
Both are great machines. For the price and capability, I recommend you buy whichever of them would best suit you.
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frugalchick
Shy Member
Posts: 46
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Post by frugalchick on Nov 19, 2015 12:47:11 GMT
OH!!! ALL OF YOU have been AWESOME in your thoughts...this will definitely help me make my decision within the next few weeks.....and I thank you. I LOVE great input!  |
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Nov 20, 2015 11:41:20 GMT
I have the original Cricut and I didn't use it all that much. It wasn't really sure friendly in my opinion. In the fall I decided to upgrade to a Cricut Explore Air and I've already used it more than I ever used the old machine. It's so much fun and I find the software that I use on my iPad so intuitive.
I bought mine using an online 20% off coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond with free shipping.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 6, 2024 13:41:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2015 9:20:48 GMT
The biggest advice I can give is download the software for both machines. You will spend all your time in the software with the newer machines. Your going to want to buy the machine with the software that your most comfortable with and the one that has the least learning curve for you. The software is free on both machines. Cricut, of course, is online. Silhouette is offline.
Peek at YouTube videos. Don't watch the videos of those comparing the two machines. Watch videos for the kind of cards you make so you can get a feel of what to expect when working with those machines. I know for me I need to see projects being made.
Hope that helps.
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Post by megs78 on Nov 21, 2015 10:49:17 GMT
I used to have a Silhouette - switched to a Cricut Explore and could not be happier.
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Nov 24, 2015 21:12:32 GMT
I can only comment on the Cricut side. I started with a Create machine with a cutting size of 12x6. I got an Expression 2 later on and loved the bigger cutting size. I used my Gypsy with both machines. I wasn't sure about the Explore and waited. Got it last Christmas in a bundle deal and love it. I did try out Design Space first on my computer to make sure my internet to handle it since the machine won't work without the internet. I have no problems with the Explore itself. It's Design Space that can give headaches sometimes. The program though has improved greatly and I don't have as many problems anymore.
I have actually used my Explore more than when I had either of my other 2 machines. I do love the new feature of being able to import other images into the programs so have had fun with that.
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sweetpe
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by sweetpe on Nov 25, 2015 4:15:14 GMT
From what I'm reading you no loger need to be connected to the Internet  ? |
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Post by htstepper on Nov 25, 2015 8:37:26 GMT
I have all of the same machines you do-Expression, cake and baby bug (that I bought for my now 12-year old when she was 7) and a Cameo. I love my Cameo and the freedom of it. The tracing feature and print and cut features are my favorite.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,133
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 25, 2015 19:29:25 GMT
Before you decide, IF you have a Mac computer, the Explore may not work with it. There was a post by Clever Someday on the issue.
If you have a PC, it would be less likely to be an issue, but Provo Craft made changes that affected the operating system requirements, which essentially turned a lot of Explore machines into a paperweight, because the new system requirements are not compatible with Mac computers (that HAD been compatible when the Explore was released).
Why would a company not provide an update for the Mac users? That bothers me, even though I have a PC.
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Post by dualmaestra on Nov 29, 2015 5:15:09 GMT
I have a Mac and was able to open the software. What are the problems with Design Studio? Will it not cut?
It only asked me to update Flash. I cannot cut since I do not have the machine. But am seriously considering getting the Air because of the amount of cartridges I already have.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,133
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 30, 2015 15:41:45 GMT
I didn't bookmark the article about the conflict with Explore and Mac computers, but it was on Clever Someday's blog. You should be able to find it through a Google search.
I don't think it affected all Mac users, but the fact that Provo Craft released a machine that worked with Mac computers, then did an update that made it no longer work with some of the Macs that it HAD been compatible with before, with no apparent plans to update for those users, would be a red flag to me. Their customer service reps actually told some irate Explore owners to just "buy a new computer" to solve the problem. At least, that is according to the blog post I read.
I assume it was older Macs that had the conflict after the update, but it still seems pretty rotten customer service to me.
Edited to add: there is another thread that is related to the Cricut Explore that gives the link to the post by Clever Someday. It is the "I want to buy a new Cricut......which one?" message thread.
Also, just for the the record, I have kind of a love/hate relationship with Provo Craft. Some of the time they are great, and some of the time, they have Ignored the needs and concerns of a lot of customers. I have read both good and bad about the Explore. Because of the number of carts I own (104), I would love to get the new machine for two reasons: the tiny details it can cut, and its ability to cut leather. However, I am still in the phase of reading reviews here and elsewhere, and while many people love the new Explore, there are some who hated it and sent it bacK, and some of the latter claimed to be very tech savvy. I may eventually buy the machine, but right now I am still reluctant until a few things get resolved by Provo Craft. I was delighted when Provo Craft started being more responsive to customer concerns, but their updating software that made some of the original Explore owners unable to use their Explore is definitely a step backward IMO. That is why I view it as a red flag. Just because I have a PC does not mean that Provo Craft will never do the same thing to the PC users. If you have a pretty new computer, there may be no need to worry about it, but if you have an older computer, it's something to at least consider before you buy an Explore.
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. I still use the others...but am wanting to move upward to something else....I need all your help and pros and cons on what you have, why you like/dislike...etc. I want to make this purchase before the end of the year, am leaning toward the Black Friday sales....so hit me with any and all information you have on any of these machines....
. I still use the others...but am wanting to move upward to something else....I need all your help and pros and cons on what you have, why you like/dislike...etc. I want to make this purchase before the end of the year, am leaning toward the Black Friday sales....so hit me with any and all information you have on any of these machines....
THANK YOU!
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