Sillhoute cameo or Cricut?

[TinkerBrie]

Hi all! I am thinking about buying a sillhoute cameo or cricut. While I do not scrapbook, I am very interested in making cards, vinyl clings, iron on's and magnets. Can anyone please give me their opinions, as it is a pretty expensive purchase!! What other neat things can I do with this handy little devil??

 

[Reddy]

would you be happy with just the cricut carts??
or do you want to make your own files??

 

[TinkerBrie]

I'm not sure?? Are cricut users happy with the selection or is it just better to be able to do your own??

 

[Reddy]

it really depends on the user

I have a cricut & haven't looked at the carts in a long time - when it dies I'm getting a different machine since I can't be happy with what someone else has made (or spending $30 on sale for one cut on a cart)

I'm pretty bais on not using carts now days - I will still dig out Paper Dolls carts & a couple of others but other wise I use a 3rd party program (SCAL2) & make my own

the carts are simpler & they do have alot of them now but not in what I want
if I want Br-er Rabbit - they don't have him (that I know of)

Look at the carts (do the Disney carts) is that workable for your Disney books then look at my blog - then see which you would rather do

 

[cluvsdisney]

I would get the cameo. It has amazing reviews - good clean cuts even for small intricate designs like a quarter sized snowflake. They sell individual images on their website - no more buying a whole cartridge for $30+ to use only a handful of images. You can cut any font and svg files (you need to import svg files into their software). There are free SVG files all over the internet plus images available for sale.

 

[disney-akj]

You are very limited with the cricut. It is sad to say since I own several carts, but I am afraid when my cricut dies I will be looking at a different machine.

The cartridge selection is limited with the cricut, especially for vinyl. I usually use MTC or SCAL for most things (but these programs are no longer available with the cricut).

 

[dogcarbon]

I had an Expression, I now have a Cameo.

Are you a little bit computer savy? Are you willing to learn a new piece of software?

You can DL the Silhouette software free, play around with it, and see if it is a match for you.

You can also go take a look at the cutting files available in the Silhouette on line store and see if they are something you would like to use. Heck you can even start collecting the free file offered each week on Tuesdays!

I design my own svg files (usually) using inkscape. There are lots of tutorials to learn how to use that free software. Or I can point you in the right direction if you would like. It does take some time to learn the basics, but there are lots of forums with folks willing to try to help you learn.

As a new user to the electronic cutters, you will not have the option of using SCAL or MTC with a circut. The software is not available for purchase due to some lawsuits on Provo Craft's part.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[blmcdowell]

Hi all! I am thinking about buying a sillhoute cameo or cricut. While I do not scrapbook, I am very interested in making cards, vinyl clings, iron on's and magnets. Can anyone please give me their opinions, as it is a pretty expensive purchase!! What other neat things can I do with this handy little devil??

CAMEO! I'm a Cricut owner. I have recently decided to sell it as well as the 10+ cartridges that I've bought (from $30-90 each) and get a Cameo primarily becuase it works with 3rd party software and the company more flexible. My dealings with customer service at PC (the company that owns Cricut) have been terrible and I've heard nothing but positive things about the people at Silhouette. I am using 3rd party software with my Cricut that was bought prior to them suing all the software creators but I will not spend any more money with a company that limits you to jsut their products.

 

[Jamie77]

CAMEO! I'm a Cricut owner. I have recently decided to sell it as well as the 10+ cartridges that I've bought (from $30-90 each) and get a Cameo primarily becuase it works with 3rd party software and the company more flexible. My dealings with customer service at PC (the company that owns Cricut) have been terrible and I've heard nothing but positive things about the people at Silhouette. I am using 3rd party software with my Cricut that was bought prior to them suing all the software creators but I will not spend any more money with a company that limits you to jsut their products.

Same here. I have SCAL 2 and have an E that has not been updated, otherwise I'll lose it. I love what the Cameo can do so I plan to get one soon. I prefer the fonts on my computer anyway. It's such a waste of money to buy font carts. They all start looking the same after a while. I'm going to give my E to my niece since she always wants to use it. I still keep it in the original box.

 

[Abrooks86]

I have both the Cameo and a Cricut e (over 100+ carts) and I have sold quite a few of my carts away and machines (kept my E) and honestly, use my Cameo almost exclusively! I know only print and cut around my Disney images which is soooooooo much easier than having to layer everything. If I were starting now, I would definitely purchase the Cameo first. Like someone said, fonts all look the same but you can use your Cameo with ANY downloaded font PLUS make a shadow around ANYTHING. With the Cricut you are even limited on to what is shadowed! Good luck in your choice!

 

[LindaBabe]

I don't have a cameo, so I can't compare, but I will say this - the reason I bought the Cricut still holds true - I do NOT want to fiddle with software - I want to plug and play. So, sadly, I can't make the wonderful images Reddy designs. But the cuts I CAN do are within my capability and the time I am willing to invest in them.

 

[danicaca]

I would say the Cameo. Unless you don't want to tote around a laptop. I really like not having to purchase cartridges, and this is what sold me. I do a lot with mine. Yesterday, I cut a mickey head out of fabric to iron on to a shirt for my DD. We used it to cut letters for DD's science fair project, and all without having to purchase a cartridge. That said, I have several friends who own Cricuts, and I have used their machine when I just could not find what I wanted with the Cameo. But it does not happen very often!

 

[cluvsdisney]

The Cameo has a memory card port so you can save your cutting images to a card and use that in place of a computer if you are working away from home.

 

[fireplug]

I have a E and barely use it. A gypsy that I will be selling , the screen is just too small for my old eyes. I havent tried the software based cutters at all but I think that a decision may require looking at screens and what you have for options!

Squid

 

[3pletprincesses]

I'm with other, I LOVE my scal program and doing my own stuff. the new cricut no longer gives me that option therefor when mine dies, I'm moving to something else. Yes carridges are nice and you can many things with them but at times it's just not enough for what I like to do. too many restrictions so to speak plus the cartridges are expensive.