Siemens S7-1200 1211C, should I buy it?

[AutoMax]

You might look at a starter kit from Vipa. Their hardware is cheaper, and their processors can be programmed with Step7 or Speed7 Studio.

 

[JesperMP]

You might look at a starter kit from Vipa. Their hardware is cheaper, and their processors can be programmed with Step7 [..]

STEP7 Classic yes.
STEP7 TIA no.

 

[Tricka90]

Thank you for all the advice, you are very helpful.
After contemplating your suggestions I think my final choice will be to buy a new 1211C DC/DC/DC:
6ES7 211-1AE40-0XB0
https://www.plc-city.com/shop/it/siemens-simatic-s7-1200-cpu-1211c/6es7211-1ae40-0xb0.html

It is quite cheap (less than 200€) and I can't see any added benefit in buying the relay version: using transistor will give me a better and richer learning experience (because I can use PWM and so on). Of course I will also buy a 24V 2A power supply like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC100-240V-to-DC-24V-2A-48W-Voltage-Transformer-Switch-Power-Supply-for-Led-Lamp-/391896960327?hash=item5b3ee10d47:g:JY4AAOSwMmBVnU2B

Fortunately, my company will allow me to use TIA V13 so I won't need to buy it myself.
The only doubt is some PLC datasheet such as the following says that the PLC can only be programmed with "TIA V14 or higher":
https://support.industry.siemens.com/tedservices/DatasheetService/DatasheetService?format=pdf&mlfbs=6ES7211-1AE40-0XB0&language=en&caller=SIOS

But I think that's a mistake because I can clearly see 6ES7 211-1AE40-0XB0 in TIA V13 "Add New Device" window (see attached screenshot) and the datasheet of the two 1AE40 "brothers", that are 1BE40 and 1HE40 says "TIA V13 or higher".
Maybe I should buy 1AE31 instead of 1AE40 to be careful?

 

[kalabdel]

Sorry i'm on the road, using my phone, and can't read spec sheets too well.
You made good choices and that's what I would've done.
You can program V4.1 with TIA13 SP2 (and SP1) with certain HSP added and if you can see the hardware in your software then you're good to go. The CPU, if new, will come with firmware V4.2 but you can still add it in your project as V4.1m

Best of luck

 

[Tricka90]

Thank you kalabdel.
Unfortunately, the datasheet says firmware version is V4.2.
So, to be sure, I think I will go with 1AE31, which is older but it will work for sure!

 

[kalabdel]

Thank you kalabdel.
Unfortunately, the datasheet says firmware version is V4.2.
So, to be sure, I think I will go with 1AE31, which is older but it will work for sure!

Please re-read my previous post. V4.2 will be fine.