When you're choosing the brain for a small automation project, you often have to decide between an all-in-one PLC and HMI bundle and a bare PLC processor module. The IDEC FC6A Starter Kit and the Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 1761-L32BWB sit at opposite ends of that decision: the IDEC comes as a complete system with software and power supply, while the Allen-Bradley is a compact module meant to drop into a larger panel. The price gap is about $886, so the choice is really about whether the integration is worth the upfront cost.
Quick Verdict
Quick verdict: go with the IDEC FC6A Starter Kit if you are starting from scratch and want a ready-to-run controller package. Choose the Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 if you already have a panel and want a straightforward processor module at a lower cost.
| Feature | IDEC FC6A PLC & HMI Starter Kit | Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 1761-L32BWB |
| Price | USD 1,185.12 | USD 299.00 |
| Price bar | | |
| Condition | New | New - Open box |
| I/O | 16 I/O (9 digital inputs, 7 relay outputs) | 32 total I/O (20 digital inputs, 12 relay outputs) |
| Communication | Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485 | RS-232 |
| Memory | 384 kB | 1 KB EEPROM |
| Power | 100-240 VAC power supply included | 24V DC input |
Where Each Product Wins
- The IDEC FC6A wins when your priority is a complete package with analog input flexibility and room to expand.
- The Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 wins when you need more built-in I/O points for a lower upfront investment and your communication needs are simple.
Product Notes
IDEC FC6A PLC & HMI Starter Kit (KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G)
This is the option to pick when you want the whole starting package in one order. The kit includes the FC6A controller, software, a 60W power supply, and cables, so you are not sourcing separate components just to begin. Communication is the big differentiator: Ethernet and RS-232C/RS-485 ports let you connect to a plant network or serial devices. The 384 kB memory and expandable I/O give you room to grow, and the 0-10 VDC analog input covers common sensor and signal needs. The trade-off is the higher price and the fact that you get only 16 built-in I/O points; if your machine needs more discrete I/O from day one, you'll be adding expansion modules right away.
Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 Controller 1761-L32BWB
For a lower-cost processor module that still gives you plenty of I/O, this Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 is hard to beat. It is an unused unit in new open-box condition, and it provides 32 total I/O points: 20 digital inputs and 12 relay outputs, which is more built-in I/O than the IDEC kit offers. The 24V DC input makes it easy to integrate into an existing control panel with a standard power supply. The main limitation is the 1 KB EEPROM, which means the program has to stay relatively small. At USD 299.00, it gets the job done without the extra cost of a full starter kit.
Final Choice by Use Case
- If you are assembling a new standalone machine or training bench, the IDEC FC6A Starter Kit saves you from sourcing separate parts and gets you to a working system faster.
- If you are adding a controller to an existing panel, the Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 is the lower-cost route, especially when you are comfortable wiring it into your own enclosure.
