Choosing between a combined PLC and HMI starter and a dedicated HMI trainer often comes down to how much of the control system you need on the bench. The IDEC FC6A kit and the Allen-Bradley PanelView 800 Trainer are both new, but they solve different problems: one bundles a controller and display together, the other is built around a PanelView HMI for training.
Quick verdict
Go with the IDEC FC6A kit when you want the PLC and HMI in a single bundle and plan to work with real I/O. Go with the Allen-Bradley PanelView 800 Trainer when your main goal is HMI screen design and you want a trainer-style setup.
At a glance
| IDEC FC6A PLC & HMI Starter | Allen-Bradley PanelView 800 Trainer | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 1,185.12 | USD 949.99 |
| Price bar | ||
| What's in the kit | PLC & HMI starter, 16 I/O, software, power supply, cables | 7-inch Ethernet color HMI, swivel base, power supply, cable, manuals |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485 | Ethernet |
| Best for | Full PLC + HMI projects with room to expand | HMI training and screen development |
Where each product wins
Where the IDEC FC6A kit wins
The IDEC kit is the more complete starter because it includes both the controller and the HMI. The base unit has discrete I/O and expansion headroom, so a small training project can grow into something larger without switching platforms. You also get the cabling and mounting freedom, which cuts down the list of extra parts.
Where the Allen-Bradley trainer wins
The Allen-Bradley kit is the lower-priced option and the easier one to set up if HMI work is your focus. The kit includes the hardware and manuals needed to start without a long parts list.
Product notes
KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G IDEC Programmable Logic Controllers, FC6A Series PLC & HMI
IDEC's FC6A starter is the more complete automation package. The 16-I/O base gives you nine digital inputs and seven relay outputs, and the system can expand to 400 total I/O when the project grows past the base. The bundle supports both DIN-rail and panel mounting, so the main setup choice is between the two styles. The communication options cover the bases with network and serial connections, and the 24 VDC embedded I/O handles typical control-voltage wiring. The main trade-off is the higher listed price. It also means learning both the controller and HMI sides at once, which is more ground to cover than a trainer that focuses on the display.
Allen Bradley PanelView 800 Trainer 2711R-T7T Programmable CCW HMI Training Kit
Allen-Bradley's trainer takes a narrower, more focused approach. It centers on the 7-inch Ethernet color HMI and swivel base, with the supporting hardware and manuals included. The CCW software is the same environment used for PLC programming, which gives you a consistent place to build HMI screens. You supply the computer, and the kit supports a static-IP setup through an Ethernet switch or router. The limitation is that this is an HMI trainer, so the focus is on the display rather than on wiring discrete I/O. If your project is mainly screen development, that focus is an advantage; if you need a full control system, you'll want the IDEC FC6A kit.
Final choice by use case
When you need a controller and HMI in one box: The IDEC FC6A kit is the stronger pick. It brings the controller and display together with room to expand I/O.
For a focused HMI training setup: The Allen-Bradley PanelView 800 Trainer is the cleaner choice. It costs about $235 less and gives you a PanelView-based training path with the same CCW environment.
