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Post by ilikepink on Jul 15, 2015 16:47:56 GMT
I've had my Cricut for 6 (?) years now. I don't use it as much as I'd like (don't scrap as much as I'd like, either), but I do have 15-20 cartridges. On Sunday, I was re-cutting vinyl for a wedding I was working at, and the little screen went blank-well, it had one line through it--so I couldn't see what size and whatnot that I was cutting. It still worked, and I got through the crisis moment of get this done and get out the door. And last night I turned it on, and it seemed to work. But I'm thinking that I should start thinking about replacing it.
I'm not all that excited about using the computer as a tool to scrap. I use it mostly for lettering and simple shapes. Being able to weld words would be nice. What should I start looking at? |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 15, 2015 23:24:52 GMT
Even the new Cricut Explore uses the computer.
You might just want to see if you can find another Expression, since you seem content with what you have had for 6 years. They do have a few on Amazon, but they run $180 or higher from what I saw. They appear to be new, but I didn't look closely at the listings.
You might find a bargain at a yard sale or on Craig's list.
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Post by htstepper on Jul 16, 2015 18:55:35 GMT
Honestly, it's not as bad as you think-using the computer. I got sick of those cartridges and overlays. It's just so much quicker using a computer. You might consider a Silhoutte Cameo. That way you won't have to be tied to their online program. They are on sale right now-$229 for the machine bundle with free ship. amzn.to/1fMRvoA |
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Jul 25, 2015 2:58:29 GMT
I've had my Cricut for 6 (?) years now. I don't use it as much as I'd like (don't scrap as much as I'd like, either), but I do have 15-20 cartridges. On Sunday, I was re-cutting vinyl for a wedding I was working at, and the little screen went blank-well, it had one line through it--so I couldn't see what size and whatnot that I was cutting. It still worked, and I got through the crisis moment of get this done and get out the door. And last night I turned it on, and it seemed to work. But I'm thinking that I should start thinking about replacing it.
I'm not all that excited about using the computer as a tool to scrap. I use it mostly for lettering and simple shapes. Being able to weld words would be nice. What should I start looking at? If you can find a Gypsy, you can weld with that. They aren't made anymore but still work with the Expression lines. There was an update for it recently. They just take longer to add in newer cartridges. I didn't think I'd like the Explore but now that I have it, I really love it. Yes you have to have internet connection to use Design Space. One of the more cooler improvements is that you can use your computer's fonts not just what is on your cartridges. It's great if you like to use letters a lot. You are no longer tied to what is on your cartridges. You can also bring in other files. I needed to do a Steam Punk card and grabbed some pictures off the internet and used the Print then Cut feature. I did this also for Torchwood card for my sister. The iPad has an app that has been improved. It's like a Gypsy. The Explore has bluetooth so you can design on the iPad (they are working on it for the Android) and connect to your Explore to cut without having to use turn on a computer. Since they are making the iPad to design without internet use, I think it won't be long that the computer won't need to be on the internet all the time to use it. |
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,736
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Jul 25, 2015 18:07:48 GMT
I've had my Cricut for 6 (?) years now. I don't use it as much as I'd like (don't scrap as much as I'd like, either), but I do have 15-20 cartridges. On Sunday, I was re-cutting vinyl for a wedding I was working at, and the little screen went blank-well, it had one line through it--so I couldn't see what size and whatnot that I was cutting. It still worked, and I got through the crisis moment of get this done and get out the door. And last night I turned it on, and it seemed to work. But I'm thinking that I should start thinking about replacing it.
I'm not all that excited about using the computer as a tool to scrap. I use it mostly for lettering and simple shapes. Being able to weld words would be nice. What should I start looking at? If you can find a Gypsy, you can weld with that. They aren't made anymore but still work with the Expression lines. There was an update for it recently. They just take longer to add in newer cartridges. I didn't think I'd like the Explore but now that I have it, I really love it. Yes you have to have internet connection to use Design Space. One of the more cooler improvements is that you can use your computer's fonts not just what is on your cartridges. It's great if you like to use letters a lot. You are no longer tied to what is on your cartridges. You can also bring in other files. I needed to do a Steam Punk card and grabbed some pictures off the internet and used the Print then Cut feature. I did this also for Torchwood card for my sister. The iPad has an app that has been improved. It's like a Gypsy. The Explore has bluetooth so you can design on the iPad (they are working on it for the Android) and connect to your Explore to cut without having to use turn on a computer. Since they are making the iPad to design without internet use, I think it won't be long that the computer won't need to be on the internet all the time to use it. If you just want to try hooking it up to a computer you don't need to find a gypsy. The online program (Cricut Craft Room) gives you all the functionality for free, but you have to be online. I don't do anything with out my Gypsy because everything I do I tweak it to my needs. I almost never use the shapes as is. |
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Jul 26, 2015 16:56:19 GMT
If you can find a Gypsy, you can weld with that. They aren't made anymore but still work with the Expression lines. There was an update for it recently. They just take longer to add in newer cartridges. I didn't think I'd like the Explore but now that I have it, I really love it. Yes you have to have internet connection to use Design Space. One of the more cooler improvements is that you can use your computer's fonts not just what is on your cartridges. It's great if you like to use letters a lot. You are no longer tied to what is on your cartridges. You can also bring in other files. I needed to do a Steam Punk card and grabbed some pictures off the internet and used the Print then Cut feature. I did this also for Torchwood card for my sister. The iPad has an app that has been improved. It's like a Gypsy. The Explore has bluetooth so you can design on the iPad (they are working on it for the Android) and connect to your Explore to cut without having to use turn on a computer. Since they are making the iPad to design without internet use, I think it won't be long that the computer won't need to be on the internet all the time to use it. If you just want to try hooking it up to a computer you don't need to find a gypsy. The online program (Cricut Craft Room) gives you all the functionality for free, but you have to be online. I don't do anything with out my Gypsy because everything I do I tweak it to my needs. I almost never use the shapes as is. The OP mentioned she wasn't sure about using a computer so it's why I mentioned the Gypsy. |
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Post by queenbeeof3 on Jul 28, 2015 15:18:34 GMT
Like you, I have had my expression for about 6 years. I also have a gypsy. Up until recently I mostly used the gypsy due to ease of use . I recently started playing around in the cricut craft room. I like the craft room because you have so many more options and you have a big screen to see what you are doing. I use a laptop with a 15 inch screen.
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Post by sues on Jul 29, 2015 2:44:32 GMT
If you really like your Expression, Cricut.com has had some good prices and free shipping. I think I got mine (Expression 2) for $139 a year-ish ago.
I use mine with Craft Room though- it is really super easy to learn.
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Post by kristenf on Jul 30, 2015 21:30:12 GMT
The iPad has an app that has been improved. It's like a Gypsy. The Explore has bluetooth so you can design on the iPad (they are working on it for the Android) and connect to your Explore to cut without having to use turn on a computer. Since they are making the iPad to design without internet use, I think it won't be long that the computer won't need to be on the internet all the time to use it. ...wait, what? Holy crap. I've been largely ignoring most things Cricut, just keeping my head down bent over my Gypsy and cutting with my Expression, since I have ZERO desire to use the computer for die cutting. I think you just blew my paradigm. |
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Jul 31, 2015 22:54:09 GMT
The iPad has an app that has been improved. It's like a Gypsy. The Explore has bluetooth so you can design on the iPad (they are working on it for the Android) and connect to your Explore to cut without having to use turn on a computer. Since they are making the iPad to design without internet use, I think it won't be long that the computer won't need to be on the internet all the time to use it. ...wait, what? Holy crap. I've been largely ignoring most things Cricut, just keeping my head down bent over my Gypsy and cutting with my Expression, since I have ZERO desire to use the computer for die cutting. I think you just blew my paradigm. Some techie guy was hired for their CEO and since then the Cricut has been moving in the right direction. The Explore cuts so much better. I would curse at my E2 when it couldn't do circles right. And it didn't like to do anything really tiny. My friend puts sayings on windows to sell. She made one for her daughter with a very long poem she wrote. I was able to cut vinyl letters as small as a quarter of an inch. I don't have an iPad but the app works on the iPod also. Yeah it's a tiny thing but I just had to check it out. There are limitations though they have been improving the app. The app is suppose to be able to use off line so it does give me dreamy dreams of my Gypsy. Which means it'll give me an excuse to ask for an iPad for Christmas or something! Screen will be much bigger. The app will also work with the iPad mini which is what I might get. |
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 1, 2015 3:03:06 GMT
I have heard many people say they don't want a computer based cutting system. I had the Cricut the first week it came out and I got the Gypsy the weekend that came out too. I loved Gypsy and couldn't understand why some people didn't. I also got the Silhouette because I visited the store and was so happy with its price and variety. I could get 180 shapes that I wanted for less than half the price of one cartridge. I took a few weeks to push the purchase button because people kept mentioning not wanting to be internet based. So, my question is, if the computer really opens a huge world of cutting options, why don't people want to use the computer to cut? If you live in an area with wonky internet, yup, I get that, but other than that, why don't people want to use the computer? I guess I just find it so freeing. Just wondering.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 1, 2015 14:07:46 GMT
I have heard many people say they don't want a computer based cutting system. I had the Cricut the first week it came out and I got the Gypsy the weekend that came out too. I loved Gypsy and couldn't understand why some people didn't. I also got the Silhouette because I visited the store and was so happy with its price and variety. I could get 180 shapes that I wanted for less than half the price of one cartridge. I took a few weeks to push the purchase button because people kept mentioning not wanting to be internet based. So, my question is, if the computer really opens a huge world of cutting options, why don't people want to use the computer to cut? If you live in an area with wonky internet, yup, I get that, but other than that, why don't people want to use the computer? I guess I just find it so freeing. Just wondering. A computer driven cutter is indeed far more versatile and freeing. I started with the Wishblade, graduated to the Gazelle, both of which I used extensively, and now I have a Cameo, which I love even more. I would, however, also buy an Explore IF Provo Craft fixed a few issues, online software only being one of them. The reason that it makes a difference whether software is online based is not just that an individual's Internet can be wonky at times, although that is one reason. Another problem is that servers can get bogged down by too much traffic at once on the site. If you are in the middle of an important project that needs to be finished right away, and the server bogs down or your internet suddenly has issues, that can be more than a little inconvenient. I don't have that issue with my Cameo, since I don't need to be tied to the Internet to design and cut. An even bigger issue (IMO) brought out in another RefuPeas thread: after a recent update, some Explore owners can no longer use their cutter. Their computers were compatible when they bought the Explore, but after the update, they are no longer compatible. Provo Craft's response to the unlucky ones: "buy a new computer." I hope they have since corrected that problem, but evidently Provo Craft's customer service still needs some improvement. |
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 1, 2015 15:43:17 GMT
I have heard many people say they don't want a computer based cutting system. I had the Cricut the first week it came out and I got the Gypsy the weekend that came out too. I loved Gypsy and couldn't understand why some people didn't. I also got the Silhouette because I visited the store and was so happy with its price and variety. I could get 180 shapes that I wanted for less than half the price of one cartridge. I took a few weeks to push the purchase button because people kept mentioning not wanting to be internet based. So, my question is, if the computer really opens a huge world of cutting options, why don't people want to use the computer to cut? If you live in an area with wonky internet, yup, I get that, but other than that, why don't people want to use the computer? I guess I just find it so freeing. Just wondering. A computer driven cutter is indeed far more versatile and freeing. I started with the Wishblade, graduated to the Gazelle, both of which I used extensively, and now I have a Cameo, which I love even more. I would, however, also buy an Explore IF Provo Craft fixed a few issues, online software only being one of them. The reason that it makes a difference whether software is online based is not just that an individual's Internet can be wonky at times, although that is one reason. Another problem is that servers can get bogged down by too much traffic at once on the site. If you are in the middle of an important project that needs to be finished right away, and the server bogs down or your internet suddenly has issues, that can be more than a little inconvenient. I don't have that issue with my Cameo, since I don't need to be tied to the Internet to design and cut. An even bigger issue (IMO) brought out in another RefuPeas thread: after a recent update, some Explore owners can no longer use their cutter. Their computers were compatible when they bought the Explore, but after the update, they are no longer compatible. Provo Craft's response to the unlucky ones: "buy a new computer." I hope they have since corrected that problem, but evidently Provo Craft's customer service still needs some improvement. I had a big problem trying to get my Explore working with my software. Some was user error. I guess I just compare how easy my Silhouette was to use and have a hard time seeing why people want to stay away from it. Having used the Gypsy for years, the transition was very smooth to the Silhouette. My Cricut, on the other hand, could have been tossed out the window.  Provocraft does need to get their act together for its customers. Your comments make sense. I just haven't had any issue with the Silhouette and wondered about other people's experiences. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 2, 2015 13:36:58 GMT
950nancy, I love my Cameo, and I will never get rid of it. The main reason why I have been interested in the Explore is that it can cut heavier materials than the Cameo can. My son has some leather designs that he could sell if he could cut them by machine rather than by hand. The Cameo won't cut the kind of leather he would be using. I have to admit, too, that the Explore can cut even better details than the Cameo.
Would I ever replace my Cameo with the Explore? Nope! The Silhouette software is better than what the Explore uses, in so many ways. If Silhouette ever comes out with a machine that cuts heavier materials and even better details, I would buy it in a heartbeat over the Explore.
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Provocraft does need to get their act together for its customers. Your comments make sense. I just haven't had any issue with the Silhouette and wondered about other people's experiences.