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Post by pmm on Nov 9, 2017 23:57:45 GMT
I want a Brother Scan N Cut. I was just looking at the website and the price sure is steep for the new version. The way their comparison page is laid out makes it difficult to compare the old and the new.
What do you ladies use and/or recommend?
Where should I look for the best bang for my buck?
Thanks.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 10, 2017 2:05:28 GMT
I was considering the Brother Scan n Cut. If I were to buy one, it would be the newer version.
However, since I already have a Silhouette Cameo, I decided to try the PixScan mat that is supposed to let me cut my stamped images. It took awhile to get it set up and to calibrate my phone camera. I also calibrated my Cameo. However, it probably took less time than it would have taken me to learn to use a new machine like the Brother Scan n Cut.
The PixScan mat retails about $15. I love my Cameo and have a lot of cutting files for it, so I really did not need another cutter. By learning to use the PixScan mat, instead of buying the Scan n Cut 2, I saved a lot of money. However, the PixScan mat only works with Silhouette machines.
If you do not have any electronic cutter yet, yes, they can be expensive. However, Silhouette also makes a smaller electronic cutting machine that is less expensive. It is called the Portrait. You can get a PixScan mat to fit that machine, too.
The Brother Scan n Cut looks like a good machine. If I were getting it, I would definitely spend more to get the newer version. There are improvements over the old one that help you get a better cutting file for your stamped and colored designs. I don't remember what they are, but I watched a tutorial that mentioned the differences. It was a tutorial about the Scan n Cut 2.
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Post by joblackford on Nov 10, 2017 4:00:29 GMT
There are some videos on YouTube showing the features and differences. I looked a while back and it seemed like the scan n cut 2 had a much bigger, more usable screen, for starters. It didn't seem like getting the original would be worth the savings (although I'm not sure if prices have shifted now). There are also two models of the new one, if I remember correctly. Their website is awful - completely useless! You're better off tracking down some of their brand ambassador type of people like Julie Fei Fan Balzer and others (sorry, I can't think of any of the other names, but a YouTube search should yield some). I watched a number of videos months ago to find out what it could do because I don't have any kind of die cutting machine - manual or automatic. I loved that you could stamp a page of images and it would cut them all out with however much white space around them that you wanted - right up on the stamped outline, or with a border like dies usually have. Eventually I will probably want to buy one, but I'm holding out for now... I really like the idea of cutting out titles and stamped images, but for the cards I make I also really love the idea of stitched dies, and from what I've seen you can't really get that look with the scan n cut. And I'm broke... I have seen them advertised in sewing machine stores. It seems like that's their main market - the quilters and applique people. So if you want to see one in person or ask questions you might be better off looking for it at a sewing machine store, although I wouldn't buy it there !$_$! There are decent prices on amazon but a lot of them seem to have bundles of stuff I didn't want, like rhinestones  and the wireless card seems completely unnecessary. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2017 8:26:08 GMT
I was researching the Brother Scan n Cut. I had the same question too. What is different about the versions? I went to other forums and asked. Told to read the confusing web site. The community is elitist and not very helpful, IMO. I have been die cutting a looooong time. The one thing I can't stress enough when getting a cutter is find a helpful community. I have had so many cutters that had elitist communities that within a few years the cutters have ceased to exist. Now you are stuck with a paperweight. I was buying the Scan n Cut this month. I decided not to buy it. For one I can't tell the difference on the machines. Can't get answers to simple questions, the mats and blades are proprietary. Mats & blades are your biggest consumable. You don't really want to go down the proprietary road unless you have some experience, then you should still be hesitant. I am the girl who loves to play with these machines so I will try them all. This one seems to be giving me pause. That is unusual for me. Best bang for your buck will be the Silhouette Cameo or Portrait. Then the Cricut Explore line or Cricut Maker. The Cricut Maker is the newest in the line and geared more towards other artists that are not strictly paper crafting. With the holidays coming around I wanted to throw the Maker in since I think there will be decent deals in many crafter's price range that are reading this. Cricut & Silhouette you can use Cricut mats. Those are affordable consumables. Cricut blades are Roland Carbide Blades. You can get five blades for under $10 on Ebay. Silhouette blades are a bit more expensive. I have a CB09 blade holder and I can get Graphtec blades for my machine for the same price as Roland blades. There is a Roland blade holder for the Silhouette too. I don't know much about it. Apparently, it is a little gem. Cricut & Silhouette both have great support communities with lots of tutorials, social media groups, and YouTube content. If you are looking to cut out stamps like the Scan n Cut both Cricut/Silhouette have tutorials online how to do that. There are a few more steps involved but once you master it the process go quickly. Of course as scrapnnana wrote Silhouette has the PixScan mat. Once again the holiday thing.  The Cricut/Silhouette machines will be very price affordable under $150 for some models. Newer versions will probably be around under $200. Both companies have always been consistent about running insanely great sales during the holiday season. Check out the software for each machine so you know what is a good fit for you. Both software programs are free. This is so important because you will be spending most of your cutting time in the software. There is the age old argument which one is the best but the best is for you. They both have pro's and con's. Cricut must be online all the time. Silhouette can be used offline. You must have excellent Internet connection to use the Cricut. This is the most important for anything Cricut related. Also check out each of their stores if you think you will be purchasing. Silhouette lets you save your designs. Cricut has a subscription to rent the designs. Any Cricut design you buy will stay on their server. You can not save it. I have recommended the Scan n Cut in the past. I do think it fits a niche. Is standalone machine so you don't need to be hooked up to your computer. If you want to design you will need to use their Cloud base software too. You can transfer the file to an SD card. That is a plus. Which machine do I use? I am a power user so I have a different setup than most and different reasons. I have the Cricut Explore One. I mainly use that because I am one of the very few who actually likes her Cricut designs she has collected over the years, lol. Cricut used to be cartridge base and a number of us have a large cartridge library. I really do use it because I love my designs. I use the Cricut occasionally to cut out something that the Cameo can't handle. Silhouette has a 233gsm cutting force. Cricut is around 400-500gsm. Cricut can cut out a lot of materials that the Cameo will struggle with. I use my Cameo the most. I make a lot of printables, stickers, to cut out my own illustrations and design work. I use it to make doll house miniatures, nail art, anything tiny. I am happy with both machines. I am famous over here for grousing about the Cricut, lol. I do like the machine. I think it is a good machine, especially for beginners. Silhouette is also an excellent machine and I feel like it is my machine I use for my art. My Cricut is used for all my fun. Any questions don't be afraid to ask. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,451
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 10, 2017 15:18:04 GMT
Thanks, amayalylac. I was hoping you would add your thoughts.
I would add a few more thoughts. When the Cricut Explore Air 2 came out, I never saw a Black Friday deal on it. I bought it last year. I was hoping it would go on sale, but when it didn't, I bought it anyway, because it can cut leather, which was a capabilty I wanted.
I have a Silhouette Cameo and the Cricut Explore Air 2. I have not used my Cricut much since buying it. I realized that I needed to change my set up so that I could use both machines and not just my Cameo. I prefer the Silhouette software, so I tend to use that machine for everything.
amayalylac is an artist. Not everyone is. Those who do not want to create their own designs should look carefully at what designs are available for the cutting machine. The Scan n Cut does include 600 designs. I was not that impressed by the ones I saw. I have a large Cricut design library. I have an even larger Silhouette design library. You should see if you prefer one company's designs more than another, at least if you plan to do anything more than scan your stamped images for cutting out.
If all you want to do is the latter, then I would recommend either the Scan n Cut 2 (based on things Julie Fei Fan Balzer said in one of her videos) or a Silhouette machine with PixScan mat. The Scan n Cut looks like a quicker process, but once I got the hang of using the PixScan mat with my Cameo, I lost interest in buying another cutter. Yes, the PixScan mat has a few extra steps.
If you have no cutter currently, and you just want to stamp then have the machine fussy cut the stamped images, go with the Scan n Cut 2. However, if money is an issue, you want more options, and you are willing to spend a little more time learning the software, go with the Silhouette Portrait or Cameo. If you have artistic ability and might want to design your own cutting files, then I personally prefer the Silhouette software. I do sometimes design my own files from scratch. When I create a leather design, I have to create it in a graphics software program, export as svg, then import it into Cricut Design Space if I want to cut it on my Cricut. Cricut Design Space is not really intended for designers. It is for people who will buy and cut Cricut designs. I already had a large library of Cricut designs, because I have an older Cricut machine. I have bought a few Disney designs since getting my Explore, but Cricut designs are a lot more expensive to buy than Silhouette's, if you get a subscription. With the subscription, Silhouette files are more affordable, and you own them forever for personal use. You can use them for business if you pay a little more. With the Cricut, a subscription will let you use half of their design library while you have the subscription, but once your subscription ends, so does your ability to use them. Their licensed designs, such as Disney, are not included with the subscription. They are available for purchase only, about $1 per design, which can add up quickly. I am not sure what their policy is if you want to use them for crafts that you sell.
Although the electronic cutters are expensive, they have saved me a ton of time. In the past, I also used my cutters and their software to design original projects for classes that I taught at the LSS (when I lived near one), so my machines basically paid for themselves over time. Some people use them for crafts they sell. There are ways to offset the cost.
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Post by anniefb on Nov 10, 2017 17:32:05 GMT
I don't have any personal experience of the Scan n Cut but own a Cameo 2 which I love. I use the PixScan mat to cut around stamped images and find it pretty easy to do. I bought my Cameo last year with a great deal on Amazon and honestly I think it's been my best craft purchase ever.
I belong to a Yahoo 'Make the Cut' software group and one of the facilitators recently tried out the Scan n Cut 2. She's a super user who owns 13 different electronic cutters so her viewpoint is probably a bit different from the average user, but she wrote that she was not very impressed with the machine. Some of the issues she noted were:
- with an intricate wreath design, there was not an easy way to cut around the outside and inside of the design. It was necessary to draw by hand around the outside and inside line that she wanted to cut. And even then, the scanner still picked up on some of the inner stamped detail and cut that in addition to the outside and inside cutting lines.
- the quality of scanning a die cut to use as a blank was not as good as using a regular scanner and then importing the image into some other cutting program to cut it.
- the cutting mats for the Scan N Cut are very flimsy and expensive to replace. The mat adhesive also stopped working after a few cuts and then more needed to be applied.
- Designs do not cut in a good cutting order, and there is no way to adjust it. For heavier media, it is sometimes important to be able to cut inside pieces before cutting outside pieces, so that heavy pressure does not cause the cut pieces to move around and get ruined in the process.
Main advantage she noted is that the machine does cut with a lot more pressure than any of the Silhouette or Cricut machines. This means that it will cut most media types without a problem - unless it is thicker than .8mm thick. Thicker media can be cut but requires the purchase of the Deep Cut blade and holder.
Like others have said, I would try downloading some of the software out there and having a play around with it - you can do that with the Silhouette Studio software and Cricut as well I believe.
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Post by gale w on Nov 10, 2017 22:06:32 GMT
I have the scan n cut cm350 and I love it. I don't know how it compares to the newer ones but it has wireless capability, scans up to 12 x 12, cuts files up to 12 x 24 (not scanned but svg and whatnot), and has quite a few built in designs. The chart here is pretty straightforward. The significant advantages to the 650 are more built in designs and fonts, bigger scanning capability (I don't envision myself ever needing to scan anything bigger than 12 x 12), and PES file compatibility (that's an embroidery file). Everything else is just stuff that's included with the 650 but can be bought for the 350. You really don't even need the wireless if you use a usb stick to transfer designs. They have a free (but flawed) online design studio with a font converter, but you can also use scal or mtc if you have those. You might just have to export as an svg and then import into the machine. I mostly use mine to scan stamped images but have cut a few designs, including ones I created in the scan n cut canvas (their design studio). I'm pretty sure they'll have some good prices at amazon or hsn for black friday. I think I paid $299 for mine at hsn. I've seen them as low as $227. |
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Post by gale w on Nov 10, 2017 22:11:48 GMT
As for the points above, the mats are proprietary and can be expensive but I've also bought them at amazon for pretty cheap if I watch prices. Same with the blades and blade holders. The rest I'm not really familiar with. I haven't tried to cut anything that gave me problems due to cutting order or intricacy (I have cut a pretty thin word with no problems). The scanning ability is the main reason I bought it, and if I had the type of silhouette that I could use a pixscan mat with I may have gone with that instead. But even pixscan users who switched claim that the snc is much easier to scan and cut out images.
Go to scan n cut jam sessions on youtube to see some videos. Also, applelover53 and julie fei-fan balzer have good learning videos.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Nov 11, 2017 2:27:16 GMT
I have the scan n cut cm350 and I love it. I don't know how it compares to the newer ones but it has wireless capability, scans up to 12 x 12, cuts files up to 12 x 24 (not scanned but svg and whatnot), and has quite a few built in designs. The chart here is pretty straightforward. The significant advantages to the 650 are more built in designs and fonts, bigger scanning capability (I don't envision myself ever needing to scan anything bigger than 12 x 12), and PES file compatibility (that's an embroidery file). Everything else is just stuff that's included with the 650 but can be bought for the 350. You really don't even need the wireless if you use a usb stick to transfer designs. They have a free (but flawed) online design studio with a font converter, but you can also use scal or mtc if you have those. You might just have to export as an svg and then import into the machine. I mostly use mine to scan stamped images but have cut a few designs, including ones I created in the scan n cut canvas (their design studio). I'm pretty sure they'll have some good prices at amazon or hsn for black friday. I think I paid $299 for mine at hsn. I've seen them as low as $227. I think I paid about the same for mine. I don't have any advice, not because I'm an elitist or anything, just because I haven't had time to use mine as much as I'd like to The times I have used it, I loved it though!! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 10:57:38 GMT
anniefb Was that Jules who tried the Scan n Cut? If it was I can vouch for Jules too. She is the top in the industry everyone. She is the go to for anything cutting. She puts these machines through extensive testing. A lot of those points she brought up are concerning to me because that will effect me and how I cut. Those were some things I was wondering about. I know I fit in an area that is rare and not the norm. I also don't want to buy a cutter without those issues addressed. Thanks for sharing it. gale w I can glad you weighed in. I am really glad. I asked those questions to some groups and Wow! That is all I have to say. They really want this cutter to fail with their closed off elitist communities. It reminded me of 2007 when I first got my Wishblade. I am irritated with those ladies right now. I really should have just asked Jules or Sandy, lol. The Scan n Cut communities really seem to have only one expert with the cutter and she seems very sweet but only knowledgeable about that cutter. That is great but probably not the best person for somebody like me to go to and pester with questions. I like Julie. She is one of my favorite mixed media artists. I feel like she is more of a spokesperson for the Scan n Cut. Have you tried Roland blades with it yet or are you using the Brother blades? Have you find after market blades for the Scan n Cut? I did see there is a Roland blade holder for the Scan n Cut but don't ask about that evil thing in the communities either. Apparently SCAL can convert Scan n Cut files to their proper extension. I haven't used SCAL in years. I was looking at doll tutorials, news, etc last night. I came across a very obscure Tumblr site of a girl who reviewed the Cricut Explore and I feel like she brought up a lot of points about the machine that I have brought up over the years. It is a good review with a different angle since she is in a different area than paper crafting. I wanted to share it with you all- meltybear.tumblr.com/post/118753526142/meltys-cricut-review-i-bought-the-cricut-hoping pmm what are you leaning towards? Bless your heart have we confused you like crazy.
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Post by gale w on Nov 11, 2017 18:36:20 GMT
anniefb Was that Jules who tried the Scan n Cut? If it was I can vouch for Jules too. She is the top in the industry everyone. She is the go to for anything cutting. She puts these machines through extensive testing. A lot of those points she brought up are concerning to me because that will effect me and how I cut. Those were some things I was wondering about. I know I fit in an area that is rare and not the norm. I also don't want to buy a cutter without those issues addressed. Thanks for sharing it. gale w I can glad you weighed in. I am really glad. I asked those questions to some groups and Wow! That is all I have to say. They really want this cutter to fail with their closed off elitist communities. It reminded me of 2007 when I first got my Wishblade. I am irritated with those ladies right now. I really should have just asked Jules or Sandy, lol. The Scan n Cut communities really seem to have only one expert with the cutter and she seems very sweet but only knowledgeable about that cutter. That is great but probably not the best person for somebody like me to go to and pester with questions. I like Julie. She is one of my favorite mixed media artists. I feel like she is more of a spokesperson for the Scan n Cut. Have you tried Roland blades with it yet or are you using the Brother blades? Have you find after market blades for the Scan n Cut? I did see there is a Roland blade holder for the Scan n Cut but don't ask about that evil thing in the communities either. Apparently SCAL can convert Scan n Cut files to their proper extension. I haven't used SCAL in years. I was looking at doll tutorials, news, etc last night. I came across a very obscure Tumblr site of a girl who reviewed the Cricut Explore and I feel like she brought up a lot of points about the machine that I have brought up over the years. It is a good review with a different angle since she is in a different area than paper crafting. I wanted to share it with you all- meltybear.tumblr.com/post/118753526142/meltys-cricut-review-i-bought-the-cricut-hoping pmm what are you leaning towards? Bless your heart have we confused you like crazy. I've only used the brother blades. I buy them when they go on sale at amazon so I have a couple of backup blades and haven't had to change any yet. I am interested in trying different blades though, but when I asked on the SCASH group (I'm sure this is one of the ones you're talking about-very heavily moderated group) they seemed horrified about the prospect. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 9:13:03 GMT
gale w Thank you. I really do appreciate it. One blade for $10 is not my ideal price range. I would be stocking up on sales too. Yes, SCASH does sound familiar. I don't do Facebook. I have a friend who has an account that is interested in a Scan n Cut too. She is a quilter. She joined a few of the FB groups. We both compiled questions to ask them. We could not get our questions answered. If we did and had a follow up question it was like they were insulted we asked a follow up. That had to be one of the worst forays I ever had in the die cut community.
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ashwyness
Full Member
Posts: 186
Jul 22, 2014 17:33:23 GMT
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Post by ashwyness on Nov 13, 2017 20:47:55 GMT
I have the scan n cut cm350 and I love it. I don't know how it compares to the newer ones but it has wireless capability, scans up to 12 x 12, cuts files up to 12 x 24 (not scanned but svg and whatnot), and has quite a few built in designs. The chart here is pretty straightforward. The significant advantages to the 650 are more built in designs and fonts, bigger scanning capability (I don't envision myself ever needing to scan anything bigger than 12 x 12), and PES file compatibility (that's an embroidery file). Everything else is just stuff that's included with the 650 but can be bought for the 350. You really don't even need the wireless if you use a usb stick to transfer designs. They have a free (but flawed) online design studio with a font converter, but you can also use scal or mtc if you have those. You might just have to export as an svg and then import into the machine. I mostly use mine to scan stamped images but have cut a few designs, including ones I created in the scan n cut canvas (their design studio). I'm pretty sure they'll have some good prices at amazon or hsn for black friday. I think I paid $299 for mine at hsn. I've seen them as low as $227. I love mine too. I did get it for $221 on Amazon last spring. There was a 48 hour price drop. I use mine for basic cutting, but there are so many possibilities with it. My sister got the CM250 and hers works really well for just basic cutting also. |
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Post by pmm on Nov 14, 2017 0:43:39 GMT
Thanks ladies for all the replies!
I currently do not have an electronic cutter. I basically want it to cut out stamped images. I have many stamp sets with dies but it gets tedious die cutting the pieces for multiple cards. The only other thing I was hoping to do with the cutter is vinyl lettering for use on shirts or decorating.
I am fairly technologically challenged and don't see myself easily learning the software programs to make my own designs.
Maybe for now I will just drop the idea of getting a cutter. The price listed on the Brother site is a little steep for me.
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Post by anniefb on Nov 14, 2017 4:43:39 GMT
@amayalylac yes it was Julie who shared her review of the Scan n Cut.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2017 9:59:34 GMT
pmm There is a new Silhouette Portrait coming out. If you don't need any of the new features of the Portrait you probably can snag an older one for less than $100. They will probably start being sold on Ebay with people upgrading. There are a lot of YouTube videos on how to use PixScan for you to cut out multiple images. There are videos to even show you how to cut your stamp images without using PixScan. For vinyl the Silhouette line is the best cutter on the hobby market. There are a lot of great tutorials for vinyl on YouTube. I agree the price is steep for the ScannCut. There are good prices on Amazon. I don't want to pay those prices either. I want to buy some other things now. I understand about cost. I am thinking of downgrading. I have never cut 12x12 in my life. I don't scrap 12x12. I am thinking of getting the new Portrait. That is one of the reasons why I was hesitant on getting the ScannCut. I just don't want a large cutter. I was thinking of getting the Cricut Maker. My DH wanted me to have one for the Holidays. I have really been outgrowing my Cricut. I do like my designs but I tend to avoid it because I can do things faster on my Cameo. Not because of the Cameo but because of my cutting habits. I am sure there are a lot of people who are fast on their Cricut and find the Cameo a hassle. The other day I needed to do some cuts. I had those particular cutting designs in my Cricut library. I couldn't get the energy to deal with Design Space. I designed my cuts in Inkscape, printed them out and fussy cut. I think I got it done faster, lol. Plus, they were my designs. To be fair I don't like wandering around Silhouette's store when I need to find something either. I think I am faster at sketching than browsing.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Nov 14, 2017 13:16:58 GMT
I have a scan n cut. I don't use it much, mostly for scanning printed/stamped images and cutting. Saves on fussy cutting and it's easy to use. My issue with any ecutter is i don't have a dedicated space so i have to drag it out to the dining room table to use.
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Post by pmm on Nov 14, 2017 14:28:09 GMT
@amayalylac thanks for the tip. I think for now I'll just skip it. It's just me crafting and doing projects for myself. It seems like an extravagant gift for what little I want to do with it.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,451
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 14, 2017 17:53:44 GMT
I have a scan n cut. I don't use it much, mostly for scanning printed/stamped images and cutting. Saves on fussy cutting and it's easy to use. My issue with any ecutter is i don't have a dedicated space so i have to drag it out to the dining room table to use. That is a huge factor in how much a crafter uses an electronic cutter. If you have to get it out, set it up, then put it all away again every time you want to cut something, it isn't going to be used nearly as often as it does when it is set up permanently and can be used the moment you want to do some cutting. |
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Post by anniefb on Nov 14, 2017 18:37:22 GMT
I agree about not having a dedicated space being a disincentive to using something regularly. I fortunate to have a small craft room and my Cameo is standing out all the time plugged in and just ready to go. I use it nearly every time I craft.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Nov 14, 2017 18:46:21 GMT
I'll have a spot, but not until I make the trek to Ikea for the items i need to set up my room. I've been in this room since April. SOON...
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and the wireless card seems completely unnecessary. 
The Cricut/Silhouette machines will be very price affordable under $150 for some models. Newer versions will probably be around under $200. Both companies have always been consistent about running insanely great sales during the holiday season.
