When you're choosing between PLCs and HMIs, the first decision is integration vs processing power. Do you buy one unit that combines the operator display and the PLC, or a dedicated CPU module that fits into a larger control rack? This head-to-head compares the 5-Inch HMI PLC at $95.99 with the AutomationDirect D2-260 CPU at $130. The lower-priced controller is a self-contained operator station. The higher-priced processor is built for bigger, more demanding programs.
Quick Verdict
Pick the 5-Inch HMI PLC if you want a machine controller with the operator interface built in. Pick the AutomationDirect D2-260 if you need more processing headroom and already work with DirectLOGIC 205 hardware. Both are PLCs, but they solve different problems: one consolidates, the other expands.
Comparison
| Product | Price | Condition | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Inch HMI PLC | $95.99 | New | All-in-one machine control with built-in touch screen |
| AutomationDirect D2-260 | $130.00 | Used | High-performance CPU for rack-based DirectLOGIC 205 systems |
Where Each Product Wins
The 5-Inch HMI PLC wins for applications where the display and controller belong together. It includes a 5-inch touch screen, 9 inputs, 8 relay outputs, and 2-axis pulse output at 100 kHz for stepper or servo drives, which covers packaging, labeling, and positioning machines.
The AutomationDirect D2-260 wins for applications that need larger logic and more data handling. It provides 30.4K words of total memory, 16 independent PID loops, over 280 RLL/IBox instructions, and expanded Modbus network commands.
Product Notes
PLC Controller with 5-Inch HMI Touch Screen
This unit keeps the HMI and PLC in one enclosure, so wiring is simpler and the operator screen is physically tied to the controller. Programming works with GX Works2/Developer software, and the HMI software is free and supports multiple languages. The 9 inputs and 8 relay outputs form the fixed I/O count for your machine, and the 100 kHz 2-axis pulse output can drive stepper or servo drives. Choose this when you want a compact, all-in-one panel for packaging, labeling, or positioning. The trade-off is that the built-in I/O count is what you have to work with; a larger system would need a different architecture.
AutomationDirect D2-260 CPU
This is a DirectLOGIC 205 CPU module, not a self-contained controller. Its 30.4K words of total memory break down into a 15.8K-word Flash area for ladder logic and a 14.6K-word area for data registers. It handles native ASCII input/output strings and expanded Modbus network commands, which makes it a strong choice for serial communication with other devices. The unit is used, so condition is the main trade-off. Pick it when you are building or expanding a rack-based DirectLOGIC 205 system that needs dense logic and flexible data handling.
Final Choice by Use Case
Choose the 5-Inch HMI PLC for a self-contained machine panel. Choose the AutomationDirect D2-260 for a DirectLOGIC 205 rack application where processing capacity is the priority. For compact machine panels, the integrated PLC is the natural fit. For a processor-heavy control system, the D2-260 gives you the capacity to manage it.
