Warranty invalidation if using SCAL

[Shadow]

Just been on the Cricut forum (as I've just ordered my new Expression +DS ) and there's a whole load of complaints re the DS. Result is that I intend to return the DS for a refund and probably use SCAL.

I did notice though, an important notice from Chris (Admin) warning that people using alternative software for Cricut are experiencing problems and it could cause damage to your machine It also states that using alternative software would invalidate your Cricut warranty.

Questions:
1) Is it possible for Cricut to know that you have used alternative software and
2) Has anybody had any problems using SCAL
3) Has anybody had Cricut warranty problems after using SCAL.

This might sound a bit paranoid, but as a new user with a new machine (as yet unpacked/unused ) I don't want to invalidate a warranty I haven't yet used

Hope somebody can help

Pauline

[Yvonne Castino]

I've been using SCAL with my cricut for months without any problems.

I don't know if they could know you have been using it but my experience with the Provocraft customer service leads me to belive that by the time they got round to answering you (should you have a problem with your cricut) the warranty would be out of date anyway. I'm still waiting for help from them with my DS from December 2007! I lost count of the number of
e-mails I sent them.

I know it's not a good idea to update the firmware to the newest version (see the board here) as I suspect they have done something to block SCAL with the latest firmware version but in my opinion Cricut plus SCAL beats anything onthemarket at the moment.

Good luck with yours.

Yvonne

[wreed06]

You don't load anything from SCAL onto your Cricut. The only thing you load is Provo's own firmware. You only use SCAL software that talks to your Cricut, but it doesn't load anything on it.

[scrappymomtotwins]

Questions:
1) Is it possible for Cricut to know that you have used alternative software and
2) Has anybody had any problems using SCAL
3) Has anybody had Cricut warranty problems after using SCAL.

1. No
2. No
3. No

SCAL doesn't do anything to your Cricut. You update the firmware via DS and you have to have a PC Cartridge in the machine. The rest is software driven from your laptop and there is no way to prove or disprove use of it as far as your Cricut is concerned. Naturally the Cricut forums have employees discounting SCAL, it's their worst nightmare (and my fave software!) I've had SCAL since february, never a problem. It rocks.

[He**inwa]

As long as you don't tell them, they won't know about your use of SCAL.
It's not really any different than printing with 3rd party software and their drivers, which I am sure many of us do.

If I were planning to use both DS and SCAL, I'd install them on different machines to avoid any issues with PC updates.

JMO

[wreed06]

I think it's silly for Provo to be concerned about competitor software. Look at how many people bought Cricuts because of SCAL, and look at how many people upgrade from the baby bug to the big bug (like I'm thinking of doing) sheerly BECAUSE of SCAL. That only increases their sales! Not to mention that there is good in cartridges. I don't *think* I'll buy a cartridge, but there are cute ones and ones that have several nice things to use all in one place - easy to use and you don't have to hunt for patterns, shapes etc. There's room for both products really.

[AnointedHands]

- easy to use and you don't have to hunt for patterns, shapes etc. There's room for both products really.

Unless you have 30+ carts and can't remember what shape is on what cart...then you have to pull out the handbooks and browse until you find something you want...then you have to find the cart (mine have never been on a shelf or in alpha order). And trying to design in DSS is a nightmare...no crop, no group...just put the image down (and many other probably) and manipulate them until you get what you want.

I have my svg images in folders on my computer and can easily see if the image I want is in that folder or not.

[Shadow]

Thanks for all your help. I'm definitely going for SCAL when I've sorted out my Expression which was delivered Wednesday

Reminds me of the fuss created when alternative software for CraftRobo was discovered

Pauline xx

[Adrian]

) Has anybody had any problems using SCAL

Not one problem using SCAL. I personally feel that SCAL has made my Cricut cut stronger and cleaner. All the cuts meet and cut through. Now I have had problems with DS and hardly use it because it's not easy to use at all.

[wreed06]

All the cuts meet and cut through.

I love SCAL too, but I did have trouble cutting a design from House of Lime. Everything cut beautiful until it got to where the begin / end corner meets. They did not match up and cut an inward notch in my design. I ended up cutting (with scissors) a small piece of paper and gluing it behind to make it look like a corner. That was ok, but not optimal. This has happened from time to time.