Choosing between an IDEC FC6A PLC & HMI starter kit and a Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 touch screen comes down to one question: do you need a controller, or just a display for a controller you already have? That fork changes everything downstream, from the parts you collect to the space you leave in the enclosure. For a PLC/HMI cabinet, that question is usually the first one to answer before comparing prices or feature lists.
Quick verdict
For a from-scratch build, the IDEC FC6A kit is the all-in-one route. For a system that already has a controller, the Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 is the focused display choice. In short, the IDEC kit answers "what do I need to start?" while the Siemens panel answers "how do I add an operator interface?"
Decision snapshot
| IDEC FC6A PLC & HMI kit | Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 1,185.12 | USD 614.00 |
| What it brings | PLC plus HG1G HMI, software, 60W power supply, cables | Touch screen built for S7-300 control platforms |
Where each product wins
- IDEC FC6A wins on bundled scope. This is the broader package for someone who is assembling a cabinet from nothing and wants the control and display sides to arrive together.
- Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 wins on focused fit. This is the leaner pick when the controller decision is already made and the remaining job is adding an operator touch screen.
Product notes
KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G IDEC Programmable Logic Controllers, FC6A Series PLC & HMI
The IDEC FC6A kit is a starter bundle in the truest sense. It lines up an FC6A-series PLC, an HG1G HMI, programming software, a 60W power supply, and cables, so you can build a small control panel without sourcing each piece separately. The controller provides 9 digital inputs, 7 relay outputs, 512 internal counters, and 384 kB of memory, and it can be expanded to 400 I/O as the machine grows. It also supports Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485, and Modbus RTU master/slave operation, with an embedded 24 VDC supply that simplifies wiring to sensors or small loads. The trade-off is breadth: this is the larger, more comprehensive choice in the pairing, so it makes the most sense when you genuinely need both the PLC and the operator interface.
6AV2123-2GB03-0AX0 Siemens SIMATIC HMI KTP700 Touch Screen
The Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 is the operator-interface answer for an S7-300 control platform. Rather than bringing a new controller into the project, this touch screen is built for environments where the PLC side is already handled. The panel is made in Germany and carries the SIMATIC HMI naming, which makes it easy to identify as part of a Siemens display family. Its role is to sit in front of the operator and show what the control system is doing. The trade-off is narrower scope: it is positioned on the operator-interface side of the project, rather than as the full PLC-plus-display starter bundle that the IDEC kit represents. If your project is really about adding a clean touch interface, that focus is a strength.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the IDEC FC6A kit if you are starting from zero and want one packaged PLC-and-HMI foundation.
- Choose the Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 if you already have a controller and only need the operator touch screen to complete the panel.
