Please recommend a LCD

Projects General Guidance
1

Hey there.

I am looking for a LCD that uses minimal pins. I know there are a lot of options. I am looking for either a 2x16 or a 4x16. Please recommend one to me.

Thank you.

PS. One with examples on how to write them from Arduino are a plus. Thanks.

2

I am looking for a LCD that uses minimal pins.

Uart lcds. They require 2 - 3 lines.

3

or I2C:

4

Hi, Here's an example and sample code of 2-wire I2C displays:

http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/LCD-Blue-I2C

5

Alternatively, with a good old hc164 / 595, you can drive a lcd with 3 data lines + (0 - 1) Vcc + 1 ground.

6

Two common techniques that do not appear to have been mentioned previously are:
(1) Traditional 'Serial' using Tx (and possibly Rx)
(2) Shift register

Obfuscate: To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand.

Also: In case you don't already know this, any technique used to control a 16x2 device will also work with a 16x4 with no extra wires.

Don

7

To add to the confusion, all I2C LCDs I've seen claim to be serial LCDs, so do UART LCDs, or SPI LCDs. They are all correct in their claims. Almost all the I2C LCDs I've looked online are just cheap port extenders. You will find that they are also the lowest-priced units since the port extender is so dirt cheap. You will have to use special libraries provided by the seller to drive your LCD and there are many different ones almost each having a different library (good luck with that). I design and sell LCD stuff and I stay away from I2C LCDs for my own reasons. You want to get a serial LCD that hooks up to your arduino serial port.

8

Thank you for the replies... Serial LCD looks like what I want... Now to find a local store here in Albany that carries them is another issue lol

Thanks!

9

IYou will have to use special libraries provided by the seller to drive your LCD and there are many different ones almost each having a different library (good luck with that).

Also be aware that the LiquidCrystal library provided with the Arduino does not handle the cursor positioning correctly on lines 3 and 4 of the 16x4 display. I suspect that many of the 'special' libraries do not as well since they are largely derived from the Arduino library.

Don