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Post by aprilrhyno on Mar 7, 2007 12:14:01 GMT -5
Anyone here got this already or considering buying one?? I am just looking for feedback, I think maybe I just need some reassurance that it's really worth the money. I don't have any die cutters and this would be first and only. My birthday is coming up next month and I really really want it!! www.quickutz.com/silhouette/www.quickutz.com/index.asp?Show=silhouette&selProduct=Silhouette&FSCat=225&CartId=Edit: The Silhouette does not use dies. No dies to buy ever!!! It hooks to your computer. It is like a printer but its a cutter. It comes with a bunch of images and it will cut any true type font (like in MSWord) you can change the sizing (its all done on the computer) and you can change the blade to a pencil and it will draw instead. |
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sassy
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Post by sassy on Mar 7, 2007 13:23:04 GMT -5
I have the old Quickutz tool and dies and while I have no problem with the dies, I absolutely hate the tool. It is hard to operate and I never use it as a result. I think Quickutz dies are overpriced compared to what's available on the market today. If you buy this, you'll have to buy a new set of dies everytime you want to add variety to what you can do with a die cutting system.
I have the Sizzix (original) and I love it. I have many different dies and lots of fonts, all bought with coupons or on eBay at much less than full price. The steel rule dies cut chipboard and even light weight plastic, cork, foam, etc. There is a huge variety of Sizzlit dies available too and with adapters, the Sizzix will cut most other manufacturer dies, including Quickutz.
The Cuttlebug is another option similar to the Sizzix and I'd probably purchase it if I didn't already have my Sizzix because it uses the Sizzix dies too and will also cut the Quickutz dies. I've operated the Cuttlebug and it's easy to use and cute as can be! The dies are reasonable if you purchase with a coupon at JoAnn's or Michael's. I never buy dies without using a coupon!
I have the Wizard but don't often use it and feel the Spellbinder dies are too expensive compared to what's on the market. It does smash bottle caps and emboss but if you aren't into that, then you don't need a Wizard.
I have the Xyron PCS and it is a cute and fairly inexpensive electronic die cutting system. One of the things I love about it is that the new "books" (rather than dies) are fairly inexpensive (ranging from $29 to $49 each) so it's easy to have a variety and you can cut each shape or letter in 3 different sizes. You do have to buy new blades and cutting mats but they aren't very expensive either.
I have the Cricut, which I adore. You do have to buy cartridges that retail for $89.99 but I've never paid full price for a single cartridge and I have alot of them. I've bought them all with coupons from 40-50% off. You can cut from 1" to 5" letters and shapes and each cartridge has the ability to do more than 6,000 different variety of shapes, letters, etc. JoAnn's new price is $199.99 and Walmart also carries them for $194.99.
I just purchased the Wishblade, which operates along with your computer. It's pricey at nearly $450 but you never have to buy another cartridge or die again. It'll be here Friday so I know shortly whether I'm happy with it or not.
Personally, if you're going to buy something that requires you to add to it in the future because you want variety (and you will want variety), I'd go for the Cricut. It's a great value when you consider how many different things you can do with it.
That's my humble opinion but if you have any questions, let me know and I"ll do my best to help.
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Post by Ms. Shop-a-lot on Mar 7, 2007 13:28:30 GMT -5
Amanda, Did you see where you can only download their software? You have to PAY to download it! For the money you will spend on this, why not get a wishblade? With the wishblade you can download graphics and NOT pay for them. Making the possibilities endless! Here is what I read on that site: 5 downloads - $30 10 downloads - $55 20 downloads - $100 If you think about it you could download hundreds of graphics, fonts, etc. for the wishblade, but this is limitless...and they are still developing graphics for it. It comes with 50 graphics but let me ask you this. Would you pay close to $400 for a manual die cut machine that only had an upfront capacity to cut out 50 designs? I'm not trying to steer you (okay, yes I am!) but it seems like you could pay the extra $100 (give or take depending on the website) and get a machine that does not require anymore cost than the upfront investment! The craft robo is supposedly the same as a wishblade (or was it pazzles...) and it is apparently cheaper. I would do a side by side comparison of ALL the cutters in this price range because you may be suprised at what you find! |
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sassy
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Post by sassy on Mar 7, 2007 13:37:37 GMT -5
So...this new Silhouette is electronic? I didn't check the link because I couldn't get it to open. And you have to download their graphics too? Hmmm, what does the system cost?
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Post by aprilrhyno on Mar 7, 2007 13:38:55 GMT -5
WOW sassy you have alot of cutters! The cricut or the cuddlebug sound like the best.
April--the silhouette will cut out clipart, and other fonts which you can download free off the internet so you don't necessarily have to buy all those downloads. You are right tho about it being new. There will be little bugs Im sure.
Maybe I should get the cuddlebug, everyone else seems to love it. I don't recall hearing anything bad about it. I just got a demo of the silhouette the other day at LSS and fell in love. The cricut seems great too tho.
This is why I have been researching cause I dont want to make the wrong choice and my birthday is coming fast.
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sassy
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Post by sassy on Mar 7, 2007 13:44:02 GMT -5
Okay, I managed to go look at it. It looks like a Wishblade and the price is $369.99 but you have to buy their downloads and you don't have to do that with the Wishblade. Someone posted on the MM forum that there is a pre-order price somewhere on the Wishblade for $399 and you don't ever have to pay to download something. Xyron is going to have a website just for the new Wishblade where you can download all kinds of stuff for free and it will be updated regularly.
I gotta say, even the blades and the ability to add a pencil to draw are Wishblade items so it seems Quickutz is copying Wishblade and Pazzle. I just don't like the idea of having to pay to download. WIth the new Wishblade, you don't have to trace True type fonts. You just click on them and can cut them because it has an auto create and cut feature. Tracing was something you did with the older Wishblades. I admit I don't know a lot about the systems connected to the computer but I'll know more about the Wishblade on Friday when mine arrives. I'll post more about it then but I guess I'd prefer a system that's already been around rather than someone new to electronic die cutting. Just a thought!
Oh...the new Quickutz is not compatible with Mac computers and the new Wishblade is. It might not matter now but you never know when you might decide to become a Mac user. I don't see myself ever doing that but then I never thought I'd own some many electronic die cutting systems either....well, okay, maybe I did cuz I'm a die cut system addict. lol! Just something to think about.
Also, the Cuttlebug does not cut welded letters. That means you have each letter cut individually and the Wishblade, Silhouette both will have the welding feature. If that's something you want to be able to do, then you won't be happy with the Cuttlebug or any other non-electronic system.
The Cricut doesn't weld letters either but each cartridge does have certain words and phrases that are welded together so you get a bit of that and the Cricut is set up to eventually connect to a computer. It has a USB port and there are plans underway to make it computer compatabile but no one is saying when that might be.
Am I confusing you yet?
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Post by Emily on Mar 7, 2007 13:54:37 GMT -5
Note- I didn't read through all of your guys posts yet, so if this has been posted please forgive me...
The lad y at papercents.com told me that this is the exact same thing as the wishblade and if you order through them you get something like 5 free downloads? She said that it also uses adobe illustrator and can cut ANY font.
I'd say yes, it is worth the money!!!
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Post by Ms. Shop-a-lot on Mar 7, 2007 13:56:27 GMT -5
Look at the products and just do a comparison. Do a chart, or whatever...definately go with the one that is the most versatile NOW. Cricut may have some great capabilities in the future but who knows how long that will be. In the meantime they ALREADY (less than a year later) have a "new" version out. If I get the Wishblade ulitmately then I won't need a cricut....but the one huge advantage that a cricut has is the portability!
The cuttlebug IS a great die cut machine. It does cut a variety of dies AND it does not give you grief the way that the Wizard does. Capabilities on the Wizard probably surpass any manual die cut machine, but, if like Sandi said, you may not need to smash bottlecaps (you can buy these presmashed, and how many smashed bottlecaps do you use anyway?!). So, yeah, if you want a smaller die cut machine that is not a big investment the Cuttlebug is the way to go. I call it my "favorite little green machine". It's true, I loved my Wizard at first. I thought that the frustration that I experienced would subside over time but it just didn't. The Cuttlebug pumps dies through with such ease that I'll never go back to my Wizard! As soon as my ebay account is squared away (someone hacked it and they are still fixing it) I will list my wizard, font set, 2 die sets, 1 mystery die and a charm embossing kit. I hope I'll get at least 100$ for all of that! They aren't selling worth crap on ebay right now! Why? Cause the fad is over! The ride was nice but alas, I've renamed my Wiz "Ephemera!" (although the name is commonly referred to as printed material that is used for a short period of time and then tossed out!).
You probably will not be dissapointed with the cuttlebug, but if you can afford it go for the gusto the first time around. I have the sizzix, wizard and now cuttlebug. The cuttlebug works w/ my sizzix and wizard so I don't have much use for the first two, but next thing I get will be electronic!
Good luck w/ whatever you decide!
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Post by Emily on Mar 7, 2007 13:58:03 GMT -5
GO TO PAPERCENTS.COM!!! lol you can pre-order the wishblade for $375 and they have this machine also for very cheap. And for the money, I DISAGREE with everyone else, DO NOT GET THE CRICUT!!! You will spend more in the long run on cartridges! Seriously!!! I'm either going to get this quickutz machine or the wishblade. They both do the same exact thing except you have to get adobe illustrator to use this one, which in this day and time, it is not hard to find a copy of illustrator  PLUS, it's so much better to use than any other software! But it's harder to learn.... get this or the wishblade if you don't own any cutting system. Don't waste your money on anything else! Ok, that's my rant lol |
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Post by Ms. Shop-a-lot on Mar 7, 2007 14:01:43 GMT -5
Interesting comment Em, I didn't see on there where you could download stuff! I just saw the "pay for" stuff....if that's the case then I'd say it seems like it's worth it!
I would probably go with a system that has been around longer (just me though). I know that the WB and Pazzles have been out for quite some time. The new WB has better features (like Sandi said, no tracing fonts) so that is definitley the advantage of buying something that has been on the market for quite some time. Something to be said about the QK name though, it is pretty established so I'm sure any problems with it would be resolved professionally and handled accordingly.
Let us know if you get it! I'm curious to see how it turns out! I'm still waiting to see if DH got me a WB....probably not but you never know!
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Post by Emily on Mar 7, 2007 14:03:06 GMT -5
Ok, one more thing, this is from the email that I got: If you are interested, we have the QuicKutz Silhoutte in stock and.it is under $335. It is on special this week - if you enter coupon code: FREECARD, you get a free download card, giving you 5 free design downloads from QuicKutz. (exp 3/12/07). It is the same machine as the Wishblade, only you would need to use Illustrator to weld words and create shadows. papercents.com/papershop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=1591&category_id=1103I would still suggest springing for the wishblade I've heard good things about it! |
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Post by Ms. Shop-a-lot on Mar 7, 2007 14:03:41 GMT -5
I agree! For me I had 2 systems and I got the CB because I picked up some CB dies to use in my Wizard. When come hell or high water those dies didn't work I broke down and bought the machine. I'm GLAD I did, but if I could do it all over I'd have just gotten the WB upfront! So, while I have 3 machines, I agree 100% with Em. I'd say go WB before I'd go the other one! darn, I need to get my butt back to work! GO TO PAPERCENTS.COM!!! lol you can pre-order the wishblade for $375 and they have this machine also for very cheap. And for the money, I DISAGREE with everyone else, DO NOT GET THE CRICUT!!! You will spend more in the long run on cartridges! Seriously!!! I'm either going to get this quickutz machine or the wishblade. They both do the same exact thing except you have to get adobe illustrator to use this one, which in this day and time, it is not hard to find a copy of illustrator PLUS, it's so much better to use than any other software! But it's harder to learn.... get this or the wishblade if you don't own any cutting system. Don't waste your money on anything else! Ok, that's my rant lol |
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Post by Emily on Mar 7, 2007 14:14:02 GMT -5
Ok so maybe I sound like a psycho, but seriously, I dont like to see people waste their money on worthless machiens. Though at the time they may seem good for the money, but in the long run, you will spend a lot more.
I own the Cricut and the Wizard and I am purchasing the wishblade in the near future. I did own a sizzix but i HATED it. The wizard is ok, but some are suggesting the cuttlebug and I think that's fine. I never use my wizard, but I think it works just fine. It's hard to crank and teh sandwhiches get confusing, so if you have to spring for a machine like that, get the cuttlebug. I think everyone should own an electronic as well as a regular personal cutter. I love my Cricut, but the fonts are so expensive that I should have just got a wishblade. Though the Cricut was a Christmas present. So I didn't spend the $ on it, but I have only been able to afford 2 more cartridges since I got it. And you can't do much with only 3 cartridges. With the wishblade you spend about $400, but you can cut anything you could imagine. The cricut is $200, but cartridges run from $50 - $90. I think the cuttlebug would be a cool investment because if you see a die at the store that you can't find a font for to cut it with the wishblade, then you can get the die and cut it in your cuttle bug. Though since I've had my cricut, I have NOT used my wizard at all. It's nice to have something on the side though. I have several font sets from sizzlits and I wont be able to get much $ out of them so I might as well keep them. They once retailed for $150 and now are going for around $30. It's sad.
Amanda, tell your husband you love him soooo sooo much and you'll love him 100% more if he gets you a wishblade. You wont ever need another cutting tool again unless you spring for the cuttlebug...
maybe I sound like i'm throwing a bunch of nonsense together, but i swear, i do have a point somewhere! lol it's still early for me!!!! haha
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Post by Emily on Mar 7, 2007 14:17:22 GMT -5
I agree with April also, go for the one that has been around longer. Though you may spend $30 - $ 40 extra, wishblade is the "Cadillac" of computerized cutters.
I don't know if I mentioned this, but if you do order from papercents.com, you have to preorder for the june shipment which is 3 months, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Plus you get 10% off extra blades and mats. I'm definately buying from there!!! great deals! i'll use my cricut for now! lol
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sassy
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Post by sassy on Mar 7, 2007 14:34:59 GMT -5
I agree, go for the Wishblade. I think it does more, has been around longer and will be more likely to have the bugs worked out and you don't have to mess with ever paying for anything additional.
The new Wishblade is the 2007 version and I can only imagine that the reason they came out with a new version is because they improved it. I think the Silhouette will be playing catchup and who wants that?
I also agree that everyone should own two die cutting systems. One electronic and one manual. The reason? There are some things you cannot cut with the electronic systems. I recently cut plastic flowers from packing material using my Sizzix (I could have done this with the Cuttlebug too) and I would never try that with an electronic system. When I purchased my first die cutting system (Sizzix), there weren't many options so I bought it and added a whole lots of fonts and shapes to my stash. I use them regularly. I also use my Cricut regularly but I agree that the cartridges push the cost up. However, each cartridge does so much that you don't really need to own a lot of them. I believe I have 9 of them and a couple of them I haven't used yet plus I know I have barely touched the capabilities of the ones I have. Isn't that the way it is?
I don't think it's a matter of needing to buy additional dies or cartridges. I think we find ourselves wanting something else. Isn't that part of scrapbooking? Isn't that why we buy more paper and more embellishments? We want to be sure we have enough to do whatever creative thought we have. I hate it when I need a color cardstock that I don't have so I now I have tons of cardstock and that doesn't happen very often. It's just the nature of scrapbooking but with the Wishblade or Pazzle, you won't have to worry about that anymore. Everything is there and available for free...always!
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