Upgrading a control panel always starts with the same decision: do you already have a PLC and simply need an operator touchscreen, or are you building a machine from scratch and want the logic and display to arrive as one package? The Allen Bradley PanelView Plus 7 Ser B Industrial HMI Touchscreen 2711P-T12W21D8S is the first answer-a touchscreen HMI. The IDEC KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G is the second-a PLC & HMI starter kit that bundles the HMI, software, a power supply, and cables. Choosing between them is about what is already mounted in your panel and how much display you actually need.
Quick verdict
If you need to add an HMI to a system that already has a PLC, the Allen Bradley PanelView Plus 7 at $799.99 makes a strong case. If you are starting a small machine build and want the PLC and HMI to arrive together, the IDEC FC6A starter kit at $1,185.12 is the more complete route.
At a glance
| Product | Listed price | What it is | Condition | Display & connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Bradley PanelView Plus 7 Ser B Industrial HMI Touchscreen 2711P-T12W21D8S | $799.99 | HMI touch panel | Used | Color touchscreen |
| KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G IDEC Programmable Logic Controllers, FC6A Series PLC & HMI | $1,185.12 | PLC & HMI starter kit with 16 I/O | New | 4.3-inch color TFT; Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485 |
Where each product wins
- Choose the Allen Bradley PanelView Plus 7 if your PLC is already handling logic and you just need an operator interface. The wear is the compromise, but you are paying for a display rather than a second controller.
- Choose the IDEC FC6A starter kit if your panel has no PLC yet and you want a self-contained package. It includes the controller and HMI together, with expansion capability, communication options, and installation flexibility.
Product notes
Allen Bradley PanelView Plus 7 Ser B Industrial HMI Touchscreen 2711P-T12W21D8S
The PanelView Plus 7 is a color touchscreen from the PanelView Plus 7 line, with a 2018 year of manufacture and a US country of origin. Because it is an HMI touch panel rather than a PLC/HMI starter kit, it fits a cabinet where a separate controller already runs the logic. What makes it worth considering is that you get a color touchscreen without adding PLC hardware you may not need. What gives you pause is the condition: the screen has visible scratches and scuffs on the surface, and the bezel shows cosmetic wear. That is easy to accept inside an equipment cabinet, less so in a customer-facing operator station.
KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G IDEC Programmable Logic Controllers, FC6A Series PLC & HMI
The FC6A kit is a new PLC and HMI starter bundle: 16 I/O, a 4.3-inch HG1G color TFT with I/O indicator LEDs, software, a 60W power supply, and cables. It also lists Ethernet and RS-232C/RS-485 communication, 384 kB of memory, expansion to 400 I/O, and DIN rail or panel mount options. The main draw is the completeness: for a small machine, the logic and operator interface are in one box, so you don't have to assemble the pieces yourself. The trade-off is the display: 4.3 inches suits monitoring and menu navigation, but it is not a large screen for detailed graphics.
Final choice by use case
- Already have a PLC and want an HMI for operator control? Go with the Allen Bradley PanelView Plus 7, accepting the visible wear as the trade-off.
- Building a small machine and want PLC, HMI, software, and cabling to arrive together? Go with the IDEC FC6A starter kit. Just plan around a compact operator display.
