Why reinvent an already available wheel? There are so many other worthy projects waiting out there!!
Reasons?
I can list them:
- Mine is faster and can do more. (ATmega168 vs PIC with 4k flash)
- Mine is completely open, both hardware and software. The 117 is code protected and no source is provided.
- Mine has four different interfaces (SPI, I2C, TTL Serial and RS232) compared to only TTL Serial on the 117.
- Mine is cheaper. $10 for premade and $8 for a kit (SMD components however).
- Mine is significantly smaller. Under a third of the size of the ModernDevice board.
- And probably a few other reasons I've forgotten.
I actually wanted to buy a serial LCD controller but I couldnt find any which were half decent.
They were all closed source and only had TTL Serial and maybe RS232 interfaces.Also I have a source which sells LCD panels at $7.90 for 16x2 with backlight in single quantities or $5.90 in bulk.
$12 can buy two.[EDIT] Oh and if these LCD controllers are popular then I will be going on to tackle things like graphical LCDs and other trickier hardware. [/EDIT]
I'm convinced. I'm currently enjoying my relationship with I2C so I'm keen to see what else I can add to the chain.
So, for 2 units ($20) including 2 16x2 LCD panel's ($12), it's $32 + shipping. Sounds a bit light.
When will they be available off-the-shelf?