Before you settle on a control-panel component, you have to answer one basic question: is the missing piece an operator interface or a logic engine? The Crouzet MTP8/70 HMI User Kit and the Automation Direct D2-260 PLC CPU sit on opposite sides of that line. The Crouzet is a Millenium 3 HMI meant for displaying status and taking input; the Automation Direct D2-260 is a CPU meant for running control programs. They are not interchangeable, so the buying decision really comes down to which role needs filling.
Quick verdict
If your control panel already has a PLC and the missing piece is operator interaction, the Crouzet MTP8/70 HMI User Kit deserves the attention. If your panel needs a CPU for logic processing, the Automation Direct D2-260 is the one to consider.
At a glance
| Crouzet MTP8/70 HMI User Kit | Automation Direct D2-260 PLC CPU | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 1,971.92 | USD 130.00 |
| Role | HMI touch panel / User Kit | PLC CPU module |
| Platform | Millenium 3 | DirectLOGIC 205 (DL205) |
| Condition | New - Open box | Used |
| Control features | Operator-facing HMI | 30.4K words memory, 16 PID loops, 280+ instructions |
Where the Crouzet wins
The MTP8/70 is the choice when the job is human interaction. Its title describes an HMI user kit, so it is aimed at operators rather than ladder logic. That makes it useful when a separate controller already handles the sequence and you need a readable way to monitor or adjust it. The new open-box condition also gives it an edge over the used CPU for buyers who prefer fresh hardware.
Where the Automation Direct wins
The D2-260 is the choice when your panel needs control processing. It comes with 30.4K words of total internal memory, up to 16 independent PID loops, and over 280 RLL/IBox instructions, including floating-point math and Modbus network commands. That combination makes it a good fit for a build that has to handle equations, communication, and multiple process loops. The catch is that it is a CPU module, not an HMI, so you will still need an operator interface somewhere in the design.
Crouzet MTP8/70 HMI User Kit
If your project is already built around a Millenium 3 controller, the Crouzet MTP8/70 HMI 88970496 / 88970495 User Kit supplies the operator side of the system. It is described as a touch panel and user kit, so it is designed to give an operator a place to see machine states and make adjustments. Because the role is HMI, it makes the most sense as a companion to logic rather than as the controller itself. That is also its main limitation: no amount of touchscreen capability replaces a programmable logic controller, so this panel cannot serve as the brain of the machine. You will need a separate CPU to execute the control program.
Automation Direct D2-260 Programmable Logic Controller CPU
The Automation Direct D2-260 is a PLC CPU module in the DirectLOGIC 205 (DL205) series. The part number tells you it is designed to execute logic for a machine. Its limitation is just as clear: it lacks an operator interface built into the module. As a CPU, it handles the control program, communication, and processing, but you still have to pair it with an HMI or indicator if operators need to see what the machine is doing. For someone adding a new processor to an existing DirectLOGIC system, the D2-260 is the component to plan around. It does not pretend to be a panel, and that is exactly the point.
Final choice by use case
- Panel-first machine: If you already have a PLC and want an operator-facing HMI, the Crouzet MTP8/70 HMI User Kit fits that slot.
- Logic-first build: If you need a CPU module to run the machine, the Automation Direct D2-260 is the slot to fill.
- Different jobs: An HMI and a PLC CPU are not direct competitors. Use this pair as a reminder to decide whether the missing component is the operator interface or the logic processor.
