So it looks like I have made my first mistake and I don't even have parts yet...
2x 4 Digit LCD Display - $5.50 LCD Display's
Uses ICL7106 controllers and it seems like everything I see related to arduino builds use HD44780.
Ok, so I've google searched and realize the difference. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that the HD44780 standard is much easier to interface to arduino.
For my display I need to be able to read numbers from upwards of 20ft. So I need to find a LCD that can output characters at a reasonably large size (1in+). I need a very basic 4 digit display as I intended to get.