Cricut Explore Air 2 Starter Bundle (Emerald)

NeedMoCoffee

Original Poster

Pro

Deal Hunter

Aug 10, 2023 4:16 PM

12.9K Comments

Joined Jun 2020

NeedMoCoffeeAug 10, 2023 4:16 PM

Original Poster

Pro

Deal Hunter

12.9K Comments

Back again at same price as prior FP deal

2

1

nw003

Aug 11, 2023 12:08 AM

32 Comments

Joined Sep 2014

nw003Aug 11, 2023 12:08 AM

32 Comments

Cricut novice here. Any advice on buying new vs. Craigslist/Facebook marketplace? I see a couple Explore Air 2 local listings with accessories, mats, etc for ~$150. Is the warranty worth the extra $$ for a cricut?

1

utada82

Aug 11, 2023 11:01 PM

697 Comments

Joined Jan 2009

utada82Aug 11, 2023 11:01 PM

697 Comments

Just bought one at full price two months ago, still sitting in the basement unopened oh well

JewelStar13

Aug 11, 2023 11:06 PM

61 Comments

Joined Apr 2015

JewelStar13Aug 11, 2023 11:06 PM

61 Comments

Quote from nw003

:

Cricut novice here. Any advice on buying new vs. Craigslist/Facebook marketplace? I see a couple Explore Air 2 local listings with accessories, mats, etc for ~$150. Is the warranty worth the extra $$ for a cricut?

I would say it's risky because if the seller warrantied it out, cricut deactivates the machine making it useless. Also, buying from an authorized retailer provides a standard one year warranty from the company.

2

ThanksDude

Aug 11, 2023 11:33 PM

1.8K Comments

Joined Jul 2018

ThanksDudeAug 11, 2023 11:33 PM

1.8K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ThanksDude

Warning: Cricut is known for disabling your cutter when they put out new versions of their cutters. In short, you do NOT own your cutting device but rather renting it until Cricut wants you to buy their latest model, Look it up. Go with a Silhouette Cameo Cutter.

9

1

roninido

Aug 12, 2023 1:44 AM

1.2K Comments

Joined Apr 2008

roninidoAug 12, 2023 1:44 AM

1.2K Comments

Quote from utada82

:

Just bought one at full price two months ago, still sitting in the basement unopened oh well

Bought this at least 6 months ago new at Walmart for $150 on clearance. Not sure if it's the same accessories package, but had a LOT of various vinyl and other samples. I'm in the same boat as you, but to a lesser degree. I did actually open it and used it a few times, but not nearly what I thought I would. Got it because I figured my teen daughters would learn to use it, but they just haven't seemed too impressed. I used to work for a screen printer/sign shop in the 90s and used a Roland ColorCAMM, so I thought my enthusiasm for using it would rub off on them. So far the only things I've cut are yoga and Dead By Daylight stickers for my wife, and a Juice Wrld sticker for my 12-year-old daughter.

EDIT: I have no idea why it was on clearance at that particular Walmart, I haven't seen it on clearance at any other Walmart.

Last edited by roninido August 11, 2023 at 06:49 PM.

1

fiber_ops

Aug 12, 2023 3:56 AM

57 Comments

Joined Apr 2015

fiber_opsAug 12, 2023 3:56 AM

57 Comments

Just bought the air 2 from the last SD deal. Overall I'm skeptical. I bought it mainly to make stickers and have done so since then. However, I have run into a handful of issues. First, if you're not text savvy at all, this might not be for you. I ran into a minor issue with the software and tried to call their support, was on hold for one hour. Eventually support did fix the issue.

Also, all of a sudden their software decided not to allow you to click on a certain setting. I checked for updates locally in the software and it says I have the latest update. Do a quick Google search and find a Reddit page that people are having the exact same issue. Then find out I have to manually update the software from the cricket website even though each time you load the software on your computer it checks for updates.

Overall, cricket needs to put more money into their software rather than trying to push out new hardware.I'm keeping my Cricket for now...

2

nw003

Aug 12, 2023 4:00 AM

32 Comments

Joined Sep 2014

nw003Aug 12, 2023 4:00 AM

32 Comments

Quote from JewelStar13

:

I would say it's risky because if the seller warrantied it out, cricut deactivates the machine making it useless. Also, buying from an authorized retailer provides a standard one year warranty from the company.

Thanks for the reply. The comments in this thread are helpful… still undecided myself.

1

JewelStar13

Aug 12, 2023 4:22 AM

61 Comments

Joined Apr 2015

JewelStar13Aug 12, 2023 4:22 AM

61 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank JewelStar13

I've used my Cricut Explore Air 2 countless times over the six years I've had it, mostly using vinyl and cardstock to create team gifts, Christmas decorations, Halloween costumes, school projects, item personalizations, greeting cards, wall decor, etc. My machine is a beast and has worked flawlessly for me.

That being said, you will find it easier and more economical if you are even a little skilled in graphic design. You can utilize free software like Inkscape and Gimp to create your own designs. Images searches online can also be helpful. Design Space (cricut's software) is limiting and most premade projects will cost money. So I just create my own images and import the design. Hope this helps someone decide.

5

1

BigBrothyr

Aug 12, 2023 4:55 AM

882 Comments

Joined Nov 2012

BigBrothyrAug 12, 2023 4:55 AM

882 Comments

woooo, another thing that uses online-only software! enshitification to the max.

1

PurpleMeat2667

Aug 12, 2023 10:37 AM

5 Comments

Joined Apr 2023

PurpleMeat2667Aug 12, 2023 10:37 AM

5 Comments

Quote from JewelStar13

:

I've used my Cricut Explore Air 2 countless times over the six years I've had it, mostly using vinyl and cardstock to create team gifts, Christmas decorations, Halloween costumes, school projects, item personalizations, greeting cards, wall decor, etc. My machine is a beast and has worked flawlessly for me.

That being said, you will find it easier and more economical if you are even a little skilled in graphic design. You can utilize free software like Inkscape and Gimp to create your own designs. Images searches online can also be helpful. Design Space (cricut's software) is limiting and most premade projects will cost money. So I just create my own images and import the design. Hope this helps someone decide.

I have been wanting one of these for years, but I'm afraid to take the plunge. Also, my daughter has one And It is useless because her laptop will not allow it to run with her software. So I guess the take away is you need a special laptop also correct?

JewelStar13

Aug 12, 2023 11:10 AM

61 Comments

Joined Apr 2015

JewelStar13Aug 12, 2023 11:10 AM

61 Comments

Quote from PurpleMeat2667

:

I have been wanting one of these for years, but I'm afraid to take the plunge. Also, my daughter has one And It is useless because her laptop will not allow it to run with her software. So I guess the take away is you need a special laptop also correct?

Nothing special, they just are not Chromebook compatible. You can also use the app on your phone or tablet. I have a four year old pc laptop and an even older iPad that I use it with. My teenage daughter uses her iPhone (she uses the cricut even more than I do). Here's a list for compatibility:
https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/...ce#android

roninido

Aug 13, 2023 2:47 PM

1.2K Comments

Joined Apr 2008

roninidoAug 13, 2023 2:47 PM

1.2K Comments

Quote from PurpleMeat2667

:

I have been wanting one of these for years, but I'm afraid to take the plunge. Also, my daughter has one And It is useless because her laptop will not allow it to run with her software. So I guess the take away is you need a special laptop also correct?

Quote from JewelStar13

:

Nothing special, they just are not Chromebook compatible. You can also use the app on your phone or tablet. I have a four year old pc laptop and an even older iPad that I use it with. My teenage daughter uses her iPhone (she uses the cricut even more than I do). Here's a list for compatibility:
https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/...ce#android [cricut.com]

I know a few people that are using jailbroken Amazon Fire tablets. A Chromebook might work because of recent updates to the OS, depending on the model [google.com]; also, pretty much guaranteed that if it is your child's school Chromebook, it won't work because apps will be managed by the school's computer admin.

GoneFishin517

Aug 23, 2023 12:20 AM

48 Comments

Joined Apr 2022

GoneFishin517Aug 23, 2023 12:20 AM

48 Comments

Will this work as a present or will it cause havoc?

Cricut Explore Air 2 Starter Bundle (Emerald)

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$320

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