compare good and bad: Cricut Expression and CE2

[ohMom]

Hi friends!! i did a search but didn't find a thread comparing the two machines, and now that they've been out a year I was hoping for thoughts from those who have had the machine a while too. Can you help me figure out the basic difference between the two machines and which you prefer and why?

 

[Reddy]

I"m going to go with a different brand since if you update you can't use SCAL

thinking Cameo at this moment but needing to get money for it & my E is still running (without the updates)

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Cricut Expression I had.. dearly loved him until he decided to scream at me every time I need to cut something! He worked well with the Cricut Design Studio... (some company).....

Cricut Expression 2 is all touch pad.... lots of things I still don't know what they are... however, my big gripe is.. CE2 is NOT compatible for the Cricut Design Studio... they consider it a third party, like the SCAL/MAC... Confused me because they both say CRICUT.... ok.. so you have to utilize the Cricut Craftroom online (downloaded to your computer).... anything that you had designed in the design studio you have to save as a gypsy file ( I don't have a gypsy so I had to learn how to do this)...and then import it to your file system for the Craftroom...

I love my Expression better...but he didn't want to play nice... I'm still learning the CE2 after almost 6 months... I did take some time off from scrapping when I was getting my DD ready for college and adjusting to her being away...

 

[Reddy]

Cricut Expression 2 is all touch pad.... lots of things I still don't know what they are... however, my big gripe is.. CE2 is NOT compatible for the Cricut Design Studio... they consider it a third party, like the SCAL/MAC... Confused me because they both say CRICUT.... ok.. so you have to utilize the Cricut Craftroom online (downloaded to your computer).... anything that you had designed in the design studio you have to save as a gypsy file ( I don't have a gypsy so I had to learn how to do this)...and then import it to your file system for the Craftroom...

.

huh??? Cricut made the Design Studio why isn't the new one able to work with it?? that is completely crazy -- oh well my computer that had CDS died so I didn't think I would be using it anyways

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Not sure.. I just couldn't get mine to work so I emailed them and they told me it would not work with the E2... I had to use the craftroom...

 

[ohMom]

What's the cost of Craft room?

 

[PrincessNancy96]

It's free...

here is the link... http://www.cricut.com/home/craftroom/

I'm still learning how to use it...

 

[dogcarbon]

Please consider the Silhouette Cameo.

If I remember correctly, the big advantage to the E2 was print and cut. And if this what is swaying your decision, please consider the Cameo.

The price point of a cameo seems to be about $220 (with a code +plus shipping)

The cameo uses .studio files (or .svg files with an upgrade to the Silhouette Studio (SS) software to the Designer Edition).

You are free to download the SS software and play with it. There are images in the Silhouette online store for sale at 99cents each. and you can get those cheaper with a subscription (I do not have a subscription, but do occasionally buy a design)

There are millions of SVG files for free, and even more to purchase for a small fee.

With the Cameo you are able to cut most any image and ANY font on your computer. Yes, there will be a slight learning curve, but there are many forums for help and lots of you tube videos.

With the Cricut products, you will be limited to whatever cartridges you own.
Or with the online Cricut software you will be tied to your computer... and I am really not knowledgeable on what that can do.

I just really love my Cameo, and it has saved me money in the short term. I sold all my Cricut products (about 15 carts and my CE machine) and bought my Cameo... and never have to buy another Cart with all those images that I will never cut.

The only real reason that I would encourage anyone just starting to buy a Cricut would be if they are computer challenged and needed it simple terms. or didn't have the money for a computer. or did not have access to the internet. but in today's world, I think these barriers are coming down really fast.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox....

 

[ohMom]

I have a personal size cricut and gypsy, so I'm not new to cricut, wanting the bigger cutting mat

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

I have both the Expression and the E2 and I love my E2. At first I wasn't sure I'd like the E2. I thought there would be too many steps involved in cutting rather than just push a button on the Expression. But, the E2 is awesome. My faorite feature is that I can cut at multiple sizes at the same time rather than cut my 1 inch letters and then unload and cut my 2 inch ones. On the E2, I can cut them both or each letter a different size all at the same time.