I want to buy a new cricut...which one?

The Explore One does not come with the dual head so that you can have your blade and pen or stylus in at the same time.  All Explore models HAVE to use the new program Design Space and is internet dependent. I had a Create and an Expression 2. I got the Explore last Christmas and love it! If you used the Craft Room and have linked your cartridges there, they will also so up in Design Space. You use the same login and password for both programs so that you can access your library from both if need be. If non of your cartridges are linked to the Craft Room or Gypsy then you have to link them to Design Space through your Explore. The Explore can not be a stand alone machine.

If non of the above wrinkles your nose  , then you have to make sure your computer or laptop can handle Design Space. You use the program for free. You don't have to log in to use the program so it's easy to see how well it works for you. That's what I did before getting mine. There were many bumps when it was first released and Cricut has made many improvements. However some people still have problems with Design Space. The machine itself is awesome. It's the program that can be a problem.

The Explore cuts way better than the last model, the E2 which I had. It can cut much smaller also and thicker materials. If you are on FB, joining some of those groups are very helpful. Youtube has lots of good videos also. Another new feature is the Print then Cut feature which is good for bringing in your own files which now you can do with an Explore. I have brought in my own Steam Punk images to make a card so it's easier to use stuff that is not in the Cricut library. Also you can use your fonts from your actual computer now. There is a new German blade which can also be used in all the other machines. It lasts longer. With the One you can buy the pen holder accessory though my understanding is that you have to swap it out for the blade holder whereas with the Air, you have both holders in the machine and just put in a pen or stylus (for scoring) when needed. 

I got the Explore before it came with a built in bluetooth (the Air has it built in). The Bluetooth will allow you to connect wirelessly to a laptop, iPhone or iPad. Though the Design Space app for the Apple products does have it's limits. You can't use SVG files so just your Cricut library. Also an off line mode is coming for the Apple products.

Hope that answers a few of your questions.

i was on the fence about buying the Explore or the Silhouette. After watching several YouTube videos today, I decided I want the Explore. I do have pretty stable internet at home. I have also invested in MANY cartridges over the years. I have owned 2 Expressions, the original and the pink
My Expression still works well, but I just learned about print and cut and would love to do that.
I think I want the Air. The dual heads seems really cool. I need to watch videos on how to use it.

Any ideas about the best place to buy?

Thank you for your response amayalylac!

I will checkout Joanne's.  I just converted to a Mac and am still getting used to it.  I think it is a quad core. Do you know how it works on Safari?

I also have my old PC laptop that I use for some programs I did not want to rebuy. It is at least a dual core and about 5 years old.  We always buy the best processor and memory.

I do not know how much time i will have to "play" with the software before Christmas break,  but am excited about it's possibilities.  I think I will keep my expression as a back up to make quick cuts from cartridges.

I will probably only use it at home, so not worried about internet connection right now.

Amayalylac, thanks for your comments on the Explore, and for giving the link to the post by Clever Someday.

I am still in the "homework" phase, reading reviews and comments of those who own the machine. I am still considering whether or not to buy the machine. I feel that your feedback on the Explore is something I can really trust, because you are tech savvy.

So did you also bring in an outside image to cut? Or try creating and cutting one of your own designs?

Thanks!

I did bring in one of my designs and cut it. I had no problems. It was a simple design that I scanned in from a coloring book. I haven't tried a complex design yet. I heard there were issues with SVG's. I was really concerned about that. My SVG imported fine and I was able to group & ungroup. Basic editing was a bit hard. That could be because I am still trying to figure out the software.

I honestly do think Design Space is a bit hard to learn. I had an easier time with the Silhouette software. I think maybe Design Space learning curve is due to it being a basic software. Least for me, that is where the learning curve is.

I did contact the company. The response I got earlier was just downright rude. I am still actually in shock how rude it was. First I thought I was having one of those kick reactions over how ProvoCraft used to treat their customers. I thought I was maybe being a little over sensitive. I was trying to remain cool & level headed about it. I read the e-mail to my husband and he could not believe how curt and rude the e-mail was. My husband is very level headed. That's why I went to him to see if the e-mail was truly rude. It wasn't an impersonal standard e-mail. Somebody actually took the time to type it.

I wasn't even asking for help. I was more letting them know there was a problem with their software. I was complimentary in the e-mail too about the new Explore.

I don't want this complaint about their customer service sound like I am bashing ProvoCraft. Like all companies they got some rude jerks and others who are sweet and helpful. I do think it is a black mark on their company about this and is making me rethink about the Explore. This is why- It's an online software. If the company can not support a reliable online software or provide good tech support then the machine is a paper weight. I do admit to being cautious about how I feel about this. I know when ProvoCraft imploded was several years back. The company has made a turnaround. It is still a company and I wonder how many of the old policies are still in effect with the new ones.

Any other die cut machine you can still use if the software goes down. If Silhouette Studio goes away tomorrow you can still use MTC, SCAL, or any of the other plotter software on the market. If the Cricut goes down then we really don't have anything since it is a closed proprietary system. There is no offline software for us to use. If we are to use an online software then the tech support needs to be excellent.

I hope I didn't sound unkind about this. I would not have mentioned it. I did write a lot about the Explore this weekend. I know there are a lot of people who are trying to make a decision to spend money on this cutter. I know some people are wondering "Well, what about tech support?" I can review that now.

I do like the Explore. I am happy I did get it. I am feeling a bit iffy about trusting them on providing good support on an already laggy software program. The software is the only problem I have seen with this new machine. It's just a great machine with sub-par software that is a bit frustrating to use for advanced users.

Amayalylac, what was the problem you had with the Design Space software? Did their site go down when you were trying to cut something? Or was it something else that was an issue with the software? Do you mind telling us what the issue was that you reported to them?

scrapnnaa- You can only use the Explore with the online software. I wish we could use our cartridges or Gypsy too. I was working with the Explore yesterday. I was missing my Gypsy. I got so used to using her with my Expression.

The problem I contacted them about was a Firefox issue. When you go to the store and choose an image the insert image button is gone. When I first started Design Space I must have spent fifteen minutes trying to figure out how to insert an image. There was no button to do so. I tried Chrome & IE and the button was there. I sent them an e-mail just letting them know of the issue. You have to admit that is a quirky one.

I wasn't expecting any help. I honestly thought they would forward it to their IT department. Maybe, I got somebody who had an overwhelming day or he hates his job. Who knows.

I was really hoping to come in here this morning and hear stories of good tech support from ProvoCraft. I have only contacted ProvoCraft three times since the day the Cricut came out. I have been using it that long. This is the first time I had rude support. Next time if I have to contact their support I will let them know about that incident and hope they will be a lot nicer.

scrapheart- Congrats on getting the Explore Air. I hope you love it. I do really love mine. I can't get over how accurate the cuts are. No more wonky ovals, lol. The machine cuts like butter.

Be warned you will have Gypsy habits when you get into Design Space. I keep looking for all the Gypsy controls in Design Space. I am starting to get used to Design Space. Then I go and try to do something like I am using my Silhouette Design Studio software. My husband keeps telling me to stop over complicating things, lol.

I got my Explore before the Air came out also. Got it for Christmas last year. I have USED it a lot more than I did my Create or Expression 2. I've made several personalized cards because of the print then cut feature. I didn't think I'd use that feature but it was great to find Steam Punk images off the internet instead of being limited to the Cricut library! I have a quad core computer, oddles of memory and great internet speed. I don't have many problems with Design Space. When I do it's a problem that's come up for everyone. I do use the Chrome browser.

I am hoping with off line ability coming to the DS app that it will be possible for them to make it off line for the computer. It would be nice to take my laptop with me and design on the go like in the car. I really miss my Gypsy!

I am also happy with being able to use my system's fonts. When I had to do a Pirate themed Thank You card, I went to dafont and got a font from there. I didn't have to buy the pirate font from Cricut.

The Explore does cut really small and finally I get circles that look like freaking circles! That annoyed me about my other machines. Curves seemed to be problematic sometimes.

I am now convinced that the support person helping me does not like her job. I got another curt e-mail from her. I know PC can do some really big things we all have given the side eye too. I can't imagine their customer support being that curt. I feel sorry for all who gets a hold of her. Makes me wonder how many have returned their Cricut's because of her. I am not returning my Explore. I actually really love the machine. ProvoCraft people skills not so much, lol.

Have any of you been told to use Chrome as the recommended browser for Design Space? I went to their specs sheet and all the browsers are supported. I have heard from others who own Explore that ProvoCraft only recommends Chrome.

I know preferred browser can be a factor when everyone is trying to decide if the Explore is for them. For example Explore owners place of employment only uses Firefox and the Explore will be for their workplace.

When I bought my machine it came with a trial of the subscription plan. I have no need for the plan when it expires. I have a Cameo too. I got a gift card for $25 when I bought the Cameo. I have owned that machine for years. I have only used $10 of that gift card. That's why I know I don't need a Cricut subscription. I don't buy things from those stores. Nothing against the stores. They are both lovely. I design a different way and tend to forget the stores are there. I am guess I am old school I like my cartridges. I want a hard copy of my images. I do have all my Silhouette items backed up too including the freebies.

I use to be a member of PcCrafter's HugClub (ProvoCraft). ProvoCraft used to store our images. We still got hard copies of our purchases. When ProvoCraft shut down PcCrafter all our images went kaput. Then I lost all my HugClub images when I moved so all of that really went to kaput. I am not sad or anything. Things get lost even though I miss all my Shelly Cominskey things I bought. With ProvoCraft I want hard copy images in case they go kaput again. That's my own thing and nothing against ProvoCraft. Companies go belly up all the time I want hard copies. I buy games from BigFish & Steam so I should be really following that rule with them too.

Is it just me or has anyone noticed that only certain designs are included in the Cricut subscription and the rest you have to pay for? When I was looking through the store the images would have owned, subscribed or a price next to them.

Yes Chrome is the preferred browser. Though those with Win 10 have said that Edge works well also. This is info I have gotten from various FB groups. I have only used Chrome. I only have had problems when there was something wrong with DS. However some have had success with other browsers and not with Chrome. It's weird. 

I have seen some statements from Cricut people saying they are working on an offline version for computer.

OntarioScrapper- Do you know where it says on ProvoCraft's site where Chrome is the preferred browser or the FB girls have a link? I don't FB.

I would like to put that in my notes if somebody asks me a Cricut question. I did look & can't find it.

I knew the licensed images, of course, are not on the subscription. I saw words like Merry Christmas, Hello & even a simple frame were priced at 99 cents. I was wondering if it was a glitch in the software or only some of the images are excluded.

I am not complaining. I understand that artists might not want their images borrowed and would prefer direct pricing.

I am noting glitches because I get asked about Cricut glitches a lot.

I would be so suprised if Steam would go belly up, lol. I can imagine the download traffic if that ever happened. I know somebody who bought on Black Friday over 1000 Steam games. He would be there an eternity downloading. After I post here I am buying a game. I love Steam.

I have a small migraine. I promise I am not grumpy. If I sound grumpy early apologies. I am in a happy go lucky mood.

How is taking a picture of your cartridges proof of ownership? ProvoCraft has really gotten trusting lately. I wonder how many people have taken pictures of their friends cartridges and claimed them as their own.

I found out today the offline software is only an iPad app. It is not a computer program. The only active beta testing I have seen news of so far is an Apple app. If anybody has different news. I would so love to know. I really bought this machine on faith that there would be an offline program for the computer. I am a bit upset about this. I only have myself to blame. I should have dug deeper on that before I purchased.

scrapnnana- I understand about Firefox. It is my main browser too. To be honest I am not happy about using Chrome. I only have it installed so I can use Design Space. I really feel like the old days of AOL when we used to have to use a second browser because AOL couldn't render a web site correctly. So, ProvoCraft is now AOL!

I do love the Explore. Hardware wise wonderful machine. Print & Cut is perfection. It it just worth it alone for the Print & Cut. The accuracy of the cuts are amazing.

To be fair I do think the Cameo's cuts are amazing too. I know in reviews people are saying Cricut's cuts are better than Cameo's. That is true to a certain degree. Cameo has a horrible blade housing. I use the CB09 blade housing with my Cameo. My Cameo & Explore cut the same in accuracy. I did a side by side comparison already. I really should have took pictures.

The reasons I bought the Explore are because my Expression machine is on her last legs. I needed a heavy duty machine to cut out heavier materials. I wanted to keep my designs from Cricut because I do like them and use them quite a lot.

The software is just laggy and too many browser issues. I think the store is hard to use. I prefer Silhouette's store for navigation. I don't mind that Design Space is online. I know that really fits a niche for a group of artists and crafters. I really wish that ProvoCraft would fit the niche for the other artists and crafters that want an offline software.

If you are cutting with the Cameo - there is a somewhat new feature called overcut. It is a game changer on cuts. Small cuts especially. When you set the 'overcut' to ON it very slightly cuts past the end of a cut, the blade lifts, then starts again slightly before the cut line - thus overcutting the angle/corner. I set mine to 0.1mm. Because the blade lifts and turns, instead of swiveling - it doesn't pull up the corners or lift the small pieces.

To find it - select your media type, scroll down to below the blade setting area and you will see it.

It IS AMAZING!

I am a die hard Silhouetter -but I have to say I am impressed with the new guy at Cricut. He really seems to be on top of the game.

What I think is fantastic about the Silhouette machines is that they do not go obsolete. Even the very old Craft Robo machine can use the current software, blades, and mats. You can still use the software with old operating systems too - they keep a "legacy" version of the software easily available for those that have very old OS.