Suggestions for easy to use (and cheap) TFT screens?

Other Hardware Displays
1

Hi, i'm looking for a tft screen (not interested in touchscreen right now) for a project of mine. I found this: http://store.arduino.cc/product/A000096 on the official store but is currently out of stock.

I've seen a numerous other lcd screens by random chinese resellers, but i'm afraid that i will have a hard time making them work due to poor documentation.

So, do you have any suggestions? I'm looking for something that would work easily with the use of a documented library and would have clear instructions on how the connections/wiring go.
I am not very picky on the size, but generally the bigger the better for my case.

Thanks! :slight_smile:

2

Have a look at www.Adafruit.com They have selected good quality, they have tutorials and libraries. The have also resellers around the world.

3

Adafruit has too expensive shipping charges for Europe. I've found some stuff there that could work, but i'd rather not buy from them.

4

Adafruit and Sparkfun things can be bought from local distributers/resellers in Europe.
I only pay 3.95 for local shipping in Europe, and if the store doesn't have it, they put it on the list for me for the next order.

5

Did you look at this thread: Report: Inexpensive SPI based TFT Displays (PCF8833, ST7735, ILI9341) - Displays - Arduino Forum
My suggestion is to buy a ST7735/160x128 Color TFT. This is also software compatible with the TFT from the Arduino store.

If you search for "ST7735 160x128 Color TFT", you will find devices, starting from $5 with free shipping from far east.

Such a display is also available in Germany:
http://www.exp-tech.de/Displays/1-8-18-bit-color-TFT-LCD-display-with-microSD-card-breakout-ST7735R.html

Oliver

6

Guess this reply will get shot down in flames !!! but I have ysed over 150 SansSmart TFT's free shipping to Europe , if you want it faster then you can pay.. Many threads here and on internet generally moan about quality ... its not the best assembled kit but it works as a clone the 3,4" version is a copy of the Nintendo DS screen with full touch panel..

They are compabable with UTFT library, even though the help on the library states no support for SansSmart. Diagrams of the universal shields are available as are diagrams for the TFT's again quality of documents is not 100% but you get what you pay for

Well thats my opininion I know what the responces from some members will be so don't bother posting reponces about the company...

7

Thank you all for your valuable answers, i will give them a look shortly! :slight_smile:

I was looking at those screens that you call Sainsmart, however i was a little scared to try them due to no apparent compatibility. Do you have a link on any helpful tutorials that you have tried before?

8

They run fine using the UTFT library...

There are lots of examples for instance on the 320 x 240 version.. thats the Nintendo DS look alike
If you get one of the multi display shields with it then c0nnection is simple.

http://www.sainsmart.com/arduino/arduino-shields/sainsmart-tft-lcd-adjustable-shield-for-arduino-mega-2560-r3-1280-a082-plug.htmlm the Mega version

SainSmart TFT Shield For Arduino UNO R3 2.4 2.8 3.2 4.0 5.0 TFT LCD Screen – SainSmart.com the uno version..

They are also sold on ebay by the ebay arm of Sainssmart ..

9

Hi everyone.

Are these cheap tft-s capable of running 24/7? I'm thinking of replacing 16x2 character lcd with fancy tft for my simple wether station.

Thanks!

10

Don't see why not implement some form of screen save to reduce power and save screen degredation.. might be a good idea..