I would like to get some feedback about idec plc's. vs AB. Most of my customers' equipment use Allen Bradley PLC's and controls. The AB equipment is very reliable and performs well. I recently took an interest in PLC programming and that is why I am on this site taking the training. I am using an obsolete RSLogix 500 version. I am looking at the up front start up costs if I were to get into PLC and HMI programming as an independent developer. I am just floored by the cost of AB software, RSLogix500, Panelbuilder32, FactoryTalk. The fact that it is copy protected (newer versions now use product activation similar to Microsoft rather than the old key disk) prevents me from having it installed on a development system in my office and on a laptop to take to jobs without paying more.
I have never worked with Idec PLC's and HMI but there complete software package can be had for $349.00 Is this a case of “you get what you pay for”? Any feedback would be most appreciated

Well, I will start off to say I am biased towards AB. I think the logix platform is the best hardware on the market. Of course I also have the most experience with the AB products. Take that as my beginning disclosure. Now to get more objective lets start with the reasons I like the AB. First the programming software is good. Its mature and well thought out. There is some 'you get what you pay for' there. As in most products, you are also paying for the name. Second the hardware is tough and lasts if properly installed. Finally the actual program environment is designed well. When talking about that, you have to separate the RSLogix 500 and RSLogix 5000 because they are very different platforms. There is also a wide selection of processors that have different levels of instructions sets and capabilities. I am going to tackle this part of the answer in somewhat general terms instead of writing a dissertation in AB PLC's. One of the things I really like in the programming environment that separates the SLC from other processors of its competition is the datafile organization. Many other PLC's have a flat style memory layout that just gives you a block of memory to use that can be defined and organized however the programmer likes. The AB uses data files that can be defined and organized as data types. The AB way even makes a novice programmer organize their memory in some manner. An experienced programmer will use lots of data files to organize data according to equipment or process function. With the flat style even meticulous planning can leave you boxed into how you have defined your memory blocks. The AB data files can be expanded as needed without having to shift around other data addresses. When you look at the logix series (not the micros), all your I/O and memory registers are tag based so it is even more flexible. There are other PACs that also have similar tag addressing that I have not used so I really dont know how to compare. I have never used a processor I like better than the logix platform. User defined data types, user defined instructions, flexible tasking and routines all make it a great processor.

Now lets talk about software prices. If you going to compare to the IDEC, maybe you should look at a comparable software option. Rockwell makes this process very flexible if not completely confusing. There are a lot of different RSLogix versions with very different price tags. I think the mico version of RSLogix500 is under $300. I would put the Micrologix 1100 up against the IDEC any day. Ethernet I/P interface built in, something like 7 modules of I/O expandability in addition to the block I/O, and a very usable instruction set make it hard to beat for the price. Depending on what you want to do, you may eventually want to look at the Rockwell toolkit. It contains all of their software products for a yearly lease fee. It's less than purchasing a full blown version of RSLogix 5000 but includes just about all the software automation products they offer. This is a discussion you really need to sit down and have with your local rep.

Finally I would suggest looking into your state laws. I know that North and South Carolina both require that companies performing PLC programming be professional engineering corporations. Not really well enforced, but it could really mess up a business plan.