As CHA was approaching, everyone was asking- what is Provocraft going to roll out for Winter 2011? This company has such a reputation for rolling out new-and-improved every six months, so I had to believe that there would be something up their sleeves. I had already seen the Yudu CardShop Machine, so I had a feeling there was another shoe yet to drop. And drop it did, on Friday night at the Cricut Gala!
Ta-Da! In honor of the 5th anniversary of the Cricut, they’ve unveiled the NEW Cricut Expression 2!
So I bet you’re wondering what makes the Cricut Expression 2 different? Well, there are a number of upgrades..
- Full-color touch screen replaces the keypad. You no longer need the overlay!
- New LED light by the cutting blade so you can see what you’re cutting
- New port for the Imagine Image/Font carts- now you can cut Imagine images, too!
- You can save special settings, like for cutting vinyl or cardstock
- Will use both Imagine and standard Cricut cutting mats
Watch this little video I took at the booth:
So..what do YOU think of the new Cricut?
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Jenn Richardson says
Okay let me start by saying I am a fan of Cricut and LOVE my little bug and expression. When the Imagine came out I was among the first to buy it from the HSN launch, and in my opinion they jumped the gun in releasing it and it leaves ALOT to be desired. During the launch they tauted how WONDERFUL the new cutting mats were, ummm NOT, they are Horrible and Ive heard it from MANY others too. It is VERY upsetting to me that they can make this expression now to be used with both mat (old and imagine) however they could not include that on the VERY expensive Imagine. I do like the idea of no overlays and books, the ability to cut from both Cricut and Imagine Cartridges does little for me as the Imagine cartridges art work has left alot to be desired. I wont be investing in the new expression.as for the light…I dont see this being helpful, my space is well lit and I have never had an issue with not being able to see. I feel like PC would be better investing the time and resources into perfecting the prodcuts they now have.
Bonnie Tillman says
Hi
I have both of the Cricut’s
Ialso taech classes for the Cricut.
How much will the Expression 2 be when it comes to the stores?
When will the Cricut2 come to the stores?
Jenny says
I wasn’t told how much the Cricut 2 is going to run, but it’s supposed to be debuting around Mother’s Day.
Robin says
What are the differences between the expression 2 anniversary edition and the expression 2?
Jenny says
It’s the same thing, Robin. The Expression 2 was released for the 5th Anniversary of the first Cricut! ; )
Susie says
I too have the expression, gypsy and Imagine. I am VERY disappointed with the imagine and feel like I was “TAKEN” by spending such a large amount of money on a machine with problems. I wish they would have just made their high dollar machine live up to the name instead of creating ANOTHER which so many of us cannot afford. Just disillusioned by Provo Craft………….
Susie says
NOT HAPPY I HAVE INVESTED SO MUCH IN THE IMAGINE! THE MACHINE DOES NOT LIVE UP TO IT’S HYPE AND THE CARTRIDGES ARE EVEN WORSE…..REALLY SAD.
Jaya says
I read somewhere it will debut on HSN on April 26.
Michelle says
I LOVE that the new Expression 2 is upgradeable!!!!!!!!!! Love that it can get updates through syncing with Cricut 🙂 I think that is the absolute biggest seller for me! No more having to buy a new machine everytime something new comes out….Hopefully it will be priced right 🙂
MRS D says
IM NOW, JUST MAD AT CICUT, JUST WATCHED HSN, SHOW THE NEW EPRESSIONS 2, WHAT THE HECK, I OWN 2 CRICUTS AKREADDY, AND WAS GETTING READY TO BUY THE NEW IMAGINE MACHINE, BUT NOW THE #2, CONFUSES ME, AND AFTER READING SOME REVIEWS, ABOUT THE IMAGINE, COMPARED TO THE EXP2, I JUST WONDER, HOW MUCH MONEY , DOES CRICUT THINK, WE HAVE, STILL THEY STOP ALL THIS MIING IT UP, I INTEND TO WAIT ABOUT 18 MONTHS, TO BUY ANYTHING ELSE CRICUT, PRICES WILL COME DOWN THEN, OR THE LATEST NEWEST MODEL WILL BE OUT, AND I WILL THEN COMPARE, ALL 200 OF THEM, ONLY KIDDING, THIS IS A BIG BLOW TO ME, CRICUT IS GETTING GREEDY, AND IM SURE MAKING PLENTY MAD, I DONT NEED 4 CRICUTS, IM JUST MAD A HECK, REALLY MAD AT THIS, THE EP2, HAS MORE FEATURES THAN THE IMAGINE, TO SOME DEGREE, AND THE IMAGINE DOES MORE THAN THE OTHERS, BUT NOT ALL, WHY, IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE, VERY BAD MARKETING, IM OUT FOR A LONG TIME
Shanna says
When will the cricut expression 2 come to stores
Jenny says
I have no idea…they’ve started selling it on HSN, and it sold out the first showing!
Faithful Hands says
From watching HSN on the 26th, i don’t think the anniversary edition is going to be sold in stores. HSN is not carrying them anymore it was a one time deal. The sad thing about it is if ppl really want them HSN had them for a little over $300.00. Ebay is advertising them for over $600.00.
Jenny says
From what I learned at CHA, the Expression V2 is absolutely going to be sold in stores…but the bundle (with the 2 pre-loaded cards) on HSN will not. The big news is that the V2 will accept image carts from the Imagine (additional port) and is all touch-screen- no more keypads or overlays. Provocraft would not go to all that trouble to engineer a new machine and then not sell it in stores.
If if makes any difference, I’m still waiting for mine- I got a certificate for one at CHA, and they haven’t shipped them out to the guests yet…. I’ll share more news as it comes!
Faithful Hands says
Well, that’s good to hear….. I can’t wait for mine to come either. HSN e-mail me and said it shipped today, so i’m looking forward to seeing it.
Shannon says
Well I am very disappointed that I bought the Imagine. I haven’t taken it out of the box yet and now they come out with this new Expression 2. They should offer some kind of upgrade for the Imagine with coming out with this new machine so soon! Does the Expression 2 take all of the old cartridges along with the Imagine cartridges and it’s also going to be upgradable? Should I sell my Imagine on Ebay? It is disgusting to have such a waste of money when I was so happy with Cricut before ( I still love them but you know what I mean)!
Jenny says
So here’s the question- do you really want to print or not? Because that’s the key difference between the Imagine and the Expression V2. While you’ll be able to cut from the Imagine image carts, you of course won’t be able to print out the layers first. Or print extra designer paper. If you love the printing idea, then you might have room for both.
My question is whether or not everyone will take to the touch screen. I use my Expression way more than my Imagine just because of set-up time. Just using my keypad, I can work quickly. (I don’t use my Gypsy much for the same reason- touch screens mean more navigation & more time for me.)
Still waiting for mine to come… I’ll let you know!
Maria says
HSN confirmed mine has been shipped. I sold my 1st Cricut when I got the Expression. Now I think I’ll sell that as well. The touch screen seems like it will be less tedious for me once I figure it out and I liked the light as I craft in the basement where there are windows but the light is still not very good. I held off on the Imagine to see if there were kinks in it and what they would be. What I’m reading is that there might still be things to iron out w/ that machine. I love the idea of being able to print as well but for some reason I didn’t trust the first issue of the Imagine. Some people love it and others have had problems. I wonder if the Expression 2 will have computer hook up capabilities in the future?
Consuella Jackson says
I know what I’m getting myself for my birthday! Thanks.
Melanie Boyer says
Hi! I’m a consultant for Close to my Heart and we now have a Cricut cartridge…YAAAY!! Well, I’ve still been using my Original Cricut machine & everyone has been talking about the Cricut Expression 2; but, as everyone knows, that’s no longer available. So, before I make an investment in the previous Cricut Expression, is there a way to find out if, in fact, the Cricut Expression 2 WILL DEFINITELY be available in stores?
Thanks in advance!
Melanie
Jenny says
I’m not really sure as to what you mean- the Expression 2 is certainly available in stores & will be around for quite a while! (However, the Anniversary Edition of the Expression 2 was a special run & is no longer available.)
I’d love to see that CTMH cart, tho! Send me a catalog! ; )
kelsey says
i spoke to a pc customer service agent the other day, and she said that they would soon stop offering the anniversary edition, only because the e2 (non anniversary) would be coming out in september (for a lot cheaper). if i remember correctly she said it would be 350 and come with 2 cartridges, however you could buy a bundle for more that would come with more cartridges.
Julie Blake says
Could you please tell me – I can still get the Anniversary package online. Did it have any problems – if still available (and at the right price) is it worth getting above the regular Exp 2?
Thanks
Jenny says
Julie- you might find a deal online from someone who didn’t use theirs or has an old one in stock. I have one, and no, there were no problems- it was just a special, Anniversary edition that came in a special color- green trim- and had 4 carts loaded in instead of 2. Keep in mind that the new E2 is going to be wi-fi compatible in the near future, and the Anniversary Edition is not. Just a few thinks to consider! : )
Vivian Cole says
I had bought the regular expression and really liked it. When the expression 2 came out I bought it. I am so sorry. It is awful. No instruction DVD with some of them. I gave my other one to my daughter so I bought another expression on E bay. I only wish there were a way to get a DVD or good manual to learn the expressin 2 or I’d like my money back. As far as I am concerned Provo Craft really blew it on this one.
zoe says
what is the difference between the cricut imagine and the cricut expression 2?? if you can use imagine cartriges in the expression 2 does that mean the expression 2 prints as well???
Jenny says
The main difference between the Cricut Imagine and the Expression (origninal or V2) is that the Imagine PRINTS the designs out on paper and then cuts them out. It uses both a standard cart to hold the cut files and a special, separate cart that works only with the Imagination that holds the print files. The Expression 2 will only cut the images. Hope this helps, -Jenny
Jen says
I have read tons of comments about both the Expression 2 and the Imagine. If I had the money I would purchase both! However, I am looking at the Imagine…mainly because it prints and cuts. I love the PRINT feature. I have been out of the crafting world for a couple years and still have just my baby cricut. I am ready to upgrade. Could someone please give me some advice? Here are things I will be creating with the new machine: Scrapbook pages, cards, invitations, games, etc…. I am going into party planning. Also If anyone has a Gypsy…does that work with both Expression @ and Imagine? We do not have any stores close by where I could walk and and see all 3 machines in action…which is what I would really like. So with the help of fellow crafters I will make my discussion! Thank you in advance 🙂
Jenny says
Jen- This is kind of a huge question! However, I’ll try to help. First, you might want to read my full review of the Cricut Expression 2- some of your questions will be answered there:
http://www.crafttestdummies.com/craft-product-reviews/craft-product-review-cricut-expression-2-e2-by-provocraft/
Next, the big question will be if you really, really, really want to print. Bear in mind that you can only use the artwork provided on a Cricut Imagine cartridge, so make sure you look those over first. Because if you don’t like the designs/artwork that is offered, you might be able to just stick with the regular Cricut 2.
Lastly, I have to believe that the Gypsy will soon be obsolete (my opinion) because now they have come out with the Craft Room software. It’s an online version of the Design Studio, and you can use it to fuse, edit, and manipulate Cricut images. (Again, right now you cannot upload your own images to cut without using 3rd-party software.)
Personally, I have an Imagine and I NEVER use it. I’m not in love with the artwork offered, and it’s a huge machine. I’m much happier using my Expression 2 for most of my party/card/scrapbooking/home decor needs. Make sure you read some other online reviews, too, to help you make your best decision. Good luck!
Tom Schaefer says
Wife got the Expression 2 awhile back and just opened it up today. We get to step 4 of the Quick Start and turn it on but the Calibration screen never comes on (just the Cricut model screen). Further online searches point to downloading the CricutSync software. That goes well until it tries to connect the computer to the Expression 2, which it can’t. It just says turn it on and connect it… Virus software already told to exclude… Does the same thing on XP SP3 and Vista 32 or after replacing the USB cable.
Later I read another horror story of the same thing that the update didn’t fix expression 2 but keep checking. That post was 3 months ago!
So, I can’t calibrate it, the update can’t see the cutter, I can’t reset it via the update as the update wasn’t for this model and I can’t find the button sequence to view the firmware or to do a reset. So, so far this is a boat anchor!
Any help greatly appreciated.
Tom Schaefer
Jenny says
Tom, I suggest you contact ProvoCraft for advanced customer service. I had an issue with my brand-new Cricut Imagine, and after contacting them, they sent me a postage-paid return label and fixed it for me for no charge. Good luck. -Jenny
Lynsi says
I just got the cricut expression 2. I have used it once. Now when I try to use it I can select an image, but then it freezes when I press the cut button to set up the cutting features. Therefore, I cannot cut anything out. Any ideas what’s wrong?
Alison says
Lynsi,
Did you ever get an answer for your problem? I am having the same issue and can’t find an answer.
Thanks,
Alison
Jenny says
Lynsi- Does this happen with every cart or just on in particular? I’d contact the company and report your problem.
Jenny says
Alison- for hardware issues like that, you should contact ProvoCraft. Good luck!