Choosing between a PLC and HMI package is more than a price question: you are also deciding whether you need a compact controller with a small display or a PC-level HMI platform that can run heavier software. These two bundles take different paths to the same job, so the right one depends on the size of the machine, the I/O count, and how much visualization power you actually need.
Quick verdict
If a straightforward machine needs logic, a color display, and serial or Modbus communication, the IDEC FC6A starter kit is the easier fit. If your application needs a separate industrial PC and HMI with bundled software and CAN support, the ProFace bundle is the more capable choice.
At a glance
| Consideration | ProFace PS5000 bundle | IDEC FC6A starter kit |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 2,499.95 | USD 1,185.12 |
| Condition | New - Open box | New |
| Type | Industrial PC + HMI | PLC & HMI starter kit |
| Included in box | PC, PS5001 HMI, power supply, SSD, mounting hardware, software & documentation kit | PLC with 4.3-inch HG1G color TFT HMI, 16 I/O, software, 60W power supply, cables |
| Connectivity | CAN; preinstalled Rockwell Software and IXXAT Canbus software | Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485; Modbus RTU master/slave |
Where the ProFace bundle wins
- Built around an industrial PC rather than a small PLC controller.
- HMI is a separate unit from the PC.
- Suited to PC-based control and visualization tasks.
Where the IDEC kit wins
- PLC and HMI in one box, with power supply and cables.
- Serial and Modbus connectivity already included.
- Expandable up to 400 I/O points.
ProFace PS5000 IPC + PS5001 HMI Bundle
Choose the ProFace package when your project calls for an industrial PC rather than a compact controller. It pairs the PS5000 IPC with a PS5001 HMI and a power supply, and it arrives programmed with an SSD, mounting hardware, and a software/documentation kit that includes Rockwell Software and IXXAT Canbus tools. That makes it a near-complete platform for visualization and CAN-related communication. The limitation is the open-box condition: it is new but not in the original box and has only been powered up to confirm operation. It costs $2,499.95, roughly $1,315 more than the IDEC kit. If the machine side is already planned and you need a panel PC plus a separate HMI, this bundle removes most of the integration work.
IDEC KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G Starter Kit
The IDEC FC6A starter kit is the more self-contained logic and display option for smaller machines. It bundles a 16-I/O PLC (9 digital inputs and 7 relay outputs) with a 4.3-inch HG1G color TFT HMI, programming software, a 60W power supply, and cables, so you can build a control panel without collecting separate components. It also supports Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485, and Modbus RTU master/slave, and it can expand to 400 I/O points if the base 16 I/O is not enough. The main limitation is scale: the built-in I/O is starter-level and the HMI is a compact display rather than a large PC-driven HMI, so it suits straightforward control and monitoring jobs more than heavy visualization tasks. For a first automation project or a focused machine retrofit, that trade-off is easy to live with.
Final choice by use case
- Pick the ProFace PS5000 bundle when you need PC-level processing and a dedicated HMI in one programmed bundle.
- Pick the IDEC FC6A kit when you want a ready-to-wire starter package with room to grow.
