When you're choosing a gateway for an industrial networking fieldbus setup, the decision usually comes down to three things: the protocol you need to translate, the number of connections you have to support, and what the project can spend. The two gateways here take different paths through those criteria.
The Datalogic FBC9080-N100 is a PROFINET gateway from Datalogic's FBC9080 converter family. The Moxa 4101-MB-PBS is a Modbus-to-Profibus slave gateway with a single-port drop-in module and a 230.4 Kbps rating. That protocol direction matters more than almost any other detail.
Quick verdict
Choose the Datalogic FBC9080-N100 if your control network is built around PROFINET and you want a lower-cost route into that architecture. Choose the Moxa 4101-MB-PBS when the job is specifically Modbus to Profibus slave conversion.
Price and condition comparison
| Product | Listed price | Condition | Price bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datalogic FBC9080-N100 Fieldbus Converter PROFINET Gateway | USD 99.99 | Used | |
| Moxa 4101-MB-PBS Fieldbus Gateway, 1-Port, 230.4 Kbps | USD 869.00 | Open box |
The listed price spread between these two gateways is $769.01. That's a wide gap, but it lines up with two different protocol roles and two different condition descriptions.
What to look for in a fieldbus gateway
Before you settle on a model, map out the protocol direction on both sides of the gateway. A lower-priced unit won't be useful if it's not the right protocol role for your controllers and field devices. Also consider whether the hardware is described as a converter or as a slave gateway; those terms point to different configuration needs. Used and open box hardware is common in this category, so include condition in your plan alongside the technical specs. Think about whether the gateway is translating from a control protocol to a fieldbus or acting as a specific slave device on the bus. That distinction changes how you configure it and what you can expect it to do.
Where the Datalogic stands out
- Built around a PROFINET gateway role from Datalogic's FBC9080 converter line.
- Country of origin is Italy, which can matter for projects with European-origin requirements.
- A sensible fit when you need a gateway to tie a fieldbus segment into a PROFINET control world.
Where the Moxa stands out
- Explicitly positioned as a Modbus-to-Profibus slave gateway.
- Single-port drop-in module with a 230.4 Kbps rating.
- Carries a 0 to 55°C operating range in its specification.
Product notes
Datalogic FBC9080-N100
The Datalogic FBC9080-N100 is positioned as a PROFINET gateway in Datalogic's FBC9080 converter family, which makes it a direct fit when your control system already speaks PROFINET and you want to bring a fieldbus segment into that architecture. Country of origin is Italy, which can be relevant for projects that need European-origin components. The used condition is the main limitation: you're buying a pre-owned unit rather than a sealed new one, so the physical condition is part of your evaluation. If your application is specifically a Modbus-to-Profibus slave bridge, this part's stated role doesn't cover that scenario, so keep it aimed at a PROFINET-focused setup.
Moxa 4101-MB-PBS
The Moxa 4101-MB-PBS is a fieldbus gateway with a clearly defined conversion job: Modbus to Profibus slave on a single port at 230.4 Kbps. It is a 1-port drop-in module, so the layout is straightforward and the speed rating gives you a concrete performance expectation. It also carries a 0 to 55°C operating range in its specification, which is useful when you're planning cabinet placement. The limitation is the single-port design; if you need several fieldbus links from one gateway, this unit isn't built for that expansion.
Final choice by use case
- PROFINET-centric control network with a tighter budget: Datalogic FBC9080-N100.
- Modbus to Profibus slave duty: Moxa 4101-MB-PBS.
