I have a new LARGE lcd 4x20 display now. regular 16 pin interface - but WOW is it large. $35 at mouser. I had no idea what I was ordering until it got here in the mail 
its 4 leds sideways mounted embedded in a plastic diffuser. low power and directly drivable by the PWM pin (that's what I'm doing here).
this thing can be seen from across the room, NO problem!