I have had no exposure to PLC programming. I will be teaching a group ....
I had never really beleived in the "Those who can't, teach" line, but in this case it seems all too true.
Dan, I understand why you posted the question, but you may actually want to ignore all replies.
If you were to post a question on a site devoted to computers and asked "I know nothing of computers, but am going to teach. Which is better, PC or Mac?" you'll get zealots from both sides.
Some people here have been burned by AB (for differing reasons), and have an almost fanatical animosity to them. Others have mastered the AB, and dismiss
any other PLC as lacking this or that.
Neither opinion will necessarily help you, since your PLC experience will be different from
anyone elses.
What one person finds easy, you may find indecipherable, and vice versa.
You may get great or lousy service from either supplier, just because you happen to call on a Tuesday, or because Ted, not Jim, answers the phone.
The really tough part is that what YOU find straightforward in one PLC over the other, your students might find inscrutible. In some ways, it would be best to teach both (or all PLCs) and let the students gravitate towards the one that matches their way of thinking best.
But I know it's not practical, in terms of budget, time, or even student interest. Just something to add to the list of "Things to Fix in the World".
Good luck.