luvscrappin
Shy Member
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Post by luvscrappin on Jul 24, 2014 1:18:25 GMT
I am watching HSN. I have a cameo but am tempted by this cricuit explore. Pros? Cons? I am so confused!
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Post by anniefb on Jul 24, 2014 1:32:27 GMT
I don't have either (I use cricut Create with Sure Cuts a Lot) but from what I've read, a big con with the explore is you need to be connected to the Internet to use it. You also can only use any existing cartridges you have with the online design space. I plan to replace my cricut with a Silhouette in due course and would consider that to be the superior machine. Plus I've had experience of Provo Craft withdrawing support for products such as software after a few years. If they decide to do the same thing with the web-based software for the explore, you have a completely useless machine. Here's a review which might give you some more info: joyslife.com/cricut-explore-machine-review/ |
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luvscrappin
Shy Member
Posts: 10
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Post by luvscrappin on Jul 24, 2014 1:37:39 GMT
Thanks for the information. I have decided to hold off...no impulse buys. I just love the Anna Griffin collections.!
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Post by lauralaforest on Jul 24, 2014 2:00:17 GMT
I had the original small Cricut that first came out that only cut 6in by 12 in. and I loved it. When CTMH came out with Cricut cartridges that cut really cool 12x12 backgrounds I decided to upgrade and bought the Cricut Explore 2……..HATED it!! I had so many problems with it and Michaels (where I purchased it) sent me to Provo Craft but I still had problems so I finally ended up selling it and went with the Cricut Expressions. and LOVE it!
Hope this helps
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Post by htstepper on Jul 24, 2014 5:22:12 GMT
The Explore doesn't print and cut. I'm so glad I have my Silhouette.  |
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rhondaintx
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by rhondaintx on Jul 24, 2014 11:55:46 GMT
I don't have either (I use cricut Create with Sure Cuts a Lot) but from what I've read, a big con with the explore is you need to be connected to the Internet to use it. You also can only use any existing cartridges you have with the online design space. I plan to replace my cricut with a Silhouette in due course and would consider that to be the superior machine. I'm curious about what you mean by the bolded statement above. I know you have to link your cartridges to use them, but you can also cut .svgs that you purchase from them, or from other sites. That said, I'm not the biggest fan of Cricut right now. I can no longer use my Expression with Craftroom since I updated to Mac OS 10.9. It's a known problem with no estimation of a fix date. There is no way I'll be buying an Explore at this point. Sad, because I do like my Expression and cartridges and was considering the Explore. |
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Post by triplettkarla on Jul 24, 2014 13:04:01 GMT
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXgy519Qjqk Ken compares the expression and the explorer there are a couple video's on youtube. He is for the explorer but, I really like that you dont have to connected to the internet but still can use cricuts craft room with the expression.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 24, 2014 15:26:25 GMT
I don't have either (I use cricut Create with Sure Cuts a Lot) but from what I've read, a big con with the explore is you need to be connected to the Internet to use it. You also can only use any existing cartridges you have with the online design space. I plan to replace my cricut with a Silhouette in due course and would consider that to be the superior machine. I'm curious about what you mean by the bolded statement above. I know you have to link your cartridges to use them, but you can also cut .svgs that you purchase from them, or from other sites. I assume she means that you can't just take the Explore to a crop where there is no Internet connection and expect to pop in a cartridge and cut like you can with the Expression machines. |
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rhondaintx
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by rhondaintx on Jul 24, 2014 16:33:55 GMT
I'm curious about what you mean by the bolded statement above. I know you have to link your cartridges to use them, but you can also cut .svgs that you purchase from them, or from other sites. I assume she means that you can't just take the Explore to a crop where there is no Internet connection and expect to pop in a cartridge and cut like you can with the Expression machines. Yeah, that was a definite negative for me. So much potential for that machine! I think if you didn't have to be online to use it, and it would take the physical cartridge rather than having to link it, I would buy it. Maybe. |
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Post by anniefb on Jul 24, 2014 18:40:40 GMT
I'm curious about what you mean by the bolded statement above. I know you have to link your cartridges to use them, but you can also cut .svgs that you purchase from them, or from other sites. I assume she means that you can't just take the Explore to a crop where there is no Internet connection and expect to pop in a cartridge and cut like you can with the Expression machines. Yep that's what I meant. I know you can use other images, svgs etc but after paying a fortune for cartridges which are yours, the only way to use them with the explore is online. I just wouldn't accept that. |
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pamper317
Shy Member
Posts: 10
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Post by pamper317 on Jul 24, 2014 22:54:31 GMT
I have the Explore and a Pink Wishblade which I use with the Silhouette software. I definitely like my Explore best. There have been some bugs with the software, but nothing that keeps me from creating. I actually like Design Space software better than Silhouette's because it is more user friendly. It took me months to learn Sil. I didn't want to pay to take the rather expensive classes. For me, anyway.
The print and cut is rumored to be here in two weeks. That's according to the last woman demo'ing on HSN last night. If you don't want to link your cartridges, you can buy a subscription and cut all images except the licensed ones. No, you don't own the images tho. But I think it's a good price.
Also, as was mentioned, you can use svg's and other files. You can't really design on the software yet. Others have been making their svg's in other programs and bring them into DS. I really think and hope the software will improve.
I know Provo Craft doesn't have a good rep with some people. However, the new management is so much better. Customer service is awesome now and most importantly the company listens. I've been accused of being a PC cheerleader but I wouldn't recommend any product I didn't like.
I've been a longtime lurker here and at 2peas. I don't want everyone thinking I'm a troll or something! Lol!
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beth44
Junior Member
Refupea #328
Posts: 70
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Post by beth44 on Jul 26, 2014 3:30:29 GMT
I bought the Explore about 2 months ago, finally upgrading from an old Expression and my gypsy. I bought it because I have over 100 cartridges and wanted better quality cuts, which the Explore does. Comparisons I have seen/read indicate it cuts as well as the Cameo. The Explore also has a write then cut feature. I really like that more than I thought I would. Print then cut is coming, but not available yet. You also must have an internet connection to use the Explore, but you still need a computer to use the Cameo, just not necessarily internet.
I think it depends on the software. If you like to design your own stuff, do a lot of modifications to images, etc, you will find the Design Space software limiting. But you can always design with outside software and import as an SVG. You can try both softwares out yourself for free to see which you like better.
I'm quite happy with my Explore, the software meets my needs as I tend to cut most images "as is" anyway, and I wanted to use my carts, which I wouldn't be able to if I got a Cameo. The subscription is pretty cheap for cricut images, but you should look through to see if they are what you like. But you can also cut SVGs and you get some free images to use with the machine. So lots of options.
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Post by scraphop on Jul 27, 2014 1:42:10 GMT
I have both the cricut expression and the silhouette. I use my silhouette almost every time I scrap and the cricut only occasionally. I wouldn't like the explore because 2 of the retreats I attend do not have reliable internet service.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 23, 2024 16:49:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 10:06:54 GMT
pamper- I am sorry you have been called a Cricut cheerleader in the past. That makes me sad. I don't have the Explore. I am a long time Cricut user. I don't even know why I bother saying that. Duh, most of you already know. I almost caved in and bought the Explore recently even though I have a Cameo. I do really like the Explore software over Silhouette's software. I use Inkscape & PaintShop Pro to do all my designing. I never use cutting software to design. I just cut with it no matter if it's MTC, SCAL, Silhouette Design Studio. I thought Explore's software was easier to use for laying out my cuts the way I want them and do my basic editing. Of course, I couldn't cut because I didn't have the Explore. I really put the software through the test. I really liked it. I decided against the Explore because it's the online thing for me too. I do not have the best Internet. I have nightmares I will be cutting and my Internet will go out. I know this nightmare will turn into a reality. If the Explore had an offline software I would buy the machine. I am also a tech geek. With all the new changes in the way we compute I am hesitant in buying an online cutter that is not compatible with Tablets. I know that will be a long time coming where the software for tablets will be as powerful as we use for our computers. I know that both the Eclips & the Cricut Explore have or has cutter apps. They are basic for my needs. I am holding off purchasing "cloud base" peripherals until they work as how I need them too. I do think the Explore is a beautiful machine. I have heard no complaints about it, not like the other machines that Cricut has released in the past. I take that as a very good sign. Hope that helps. |
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Post by Mini Album Cookbook on Jul 27, 2014 13:36:51 GMT
I have both the Cameo and the Cricut Explore........ I feel the Cricut Explore is a better cutter than the Cameo..... I haven't used my Cameo since i opened my Explore. That being said.... for designing I find Design Space (the Cricut Explore specific software) very lacking when compared to other software. I handle that problem by creating my SVG designs in Make the Cut or Sure Cuts A Lot. I then export my designs as SVGs and import them into Design Space. There are many design tools missing in Design Space that are found in the all the other cutter softwares, i.e., alignment, distribution, offset to mention a few . IMHO, Design Space is very basic software; but, it can be mastered in a few hours. It does okay with the current Cricut images but makes designing from scratch much harder than it needs to be, mho. According to Cricut FB yesterday... Print and Cut will be available 3rd quarter as promised, as well as, some user requested functions added to Design Space. There are several drawbacks with the Explore........ carts MUST be linked in order to use them, You must be online to create and cut, the Explore can only be used with Design Space. The benefits i see are that the Explore is a better cutter, it has a great writing feature, if you already own Cricut images they will cut sooooo much better than they cut with all previous versions of PC cutters, PC has taken some of the guesswork out of setting blade depth, speed, etc. I feel PC's $99 a year subscription for unlicensed images is more than generous. The biggest drawback for me is that the software is lacking so many features found in other cutting software. In summary, I have no regrets purchasing the Explore because I already had over 150 carts. It's great to have the cartridge art cut as well as other files cut on my Cameo. Finally, my Cricut Images are cutting as they should have 7 years ago......... Circle are circles, scallops aren't wonky, intricate cuts are not tearing and fine details are noticeable...... the difference in cutting detail was worth the $$ to me because i had already collected 150 carts. I would suggest before you purchase ANY cutter that you download and test drive the software and see which is going to meet your needs. |
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julia
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by julia on Jul 27, 2014 16:51:41 GMT
Does anyone happen to know that if you have linked cartridges in Cricut Craft Room will those transfer over to Design Space or do you need to re-link them?
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Post by Mini Album Cookbook on Jul 27, 2014 17:39:11 GMT
Does anyone happen to know that if you have linked cartridges in Cricut Craft Room will those transfer over to Design Space or do you need to re-link them? They transfer.... Carts are linked to your cricut email not to a specific machine or software. |
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