Small LCD Display - Hardware & Software

I'm looking for a small LCD display, like the kind you find on the Logitech gaming keyboards. Problem is, I just recently bought a Saitek Eclipse II, so I don't want to replace it so soon. I've seen lots of individual LCD modules, but I have no electronics experience so I have no idea how to set them up. I did find this: [url]http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/techies/7e3e/[/url], but there has to be more, I just can't find them.

Well what do you want to do with it? Probably wont get far without a bit of electronics and programming if the solution you want isn't on the market.

[QUOTE=Tu154M;25399355]Well what do you want to do with it? Probably wont get far without a bit of electronics and programming if the solution you want isn't on the market.[/QUOTE] I've had some experience with LCDHype, and I mainly want to use it to monitor temperatures and other nifty things. I have a small LCD on my Asus G50 laptop, and I want one for my desktop too.

Not sure what the question is so I will just blab on: I have made and used many of these character LCD modules, From simple ones using the parallel port to one I made using a PIC microprocessor for serial. I used "LCD Smartie" as my software. They are good, no doubt, but rather limited. (They are Text only, NOTHING like a g15) - Graphics ones do exists but they aren't that common. Software for these would be the likes of "LCDStudio" With the addition of widgets to windows I think the best way to go now is one of these (There are many available at differing price points), if you have the cash: [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/MYMO-MY-720-USB-POWERED-7-TFT-MONITOR%28TOUCHSCREEN%29[/url] Touch screen too.

[QUOTE=Tezzanator92;25399883]Not sure what the question is so I will just blab on: I have made and used many of these character LCD modules, From simple ones using the parallel port to one I made using a PIC microprocessor for serial. I used "LCD Smartie" as my software. They are good, no doubt, but rather limited. (They are Text only, NOTHING like a g15) - Graphics ones do exists but they aren't that common. Software for these would be the likes of "LCDStudio" With the addition of widgets to windows I think the best way to go now is one of these (There are many available at differing price points), if you have the cash: [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/MYMO-MY-720-USB-POWERED-7-TFT-MONITOR%28TOUCHSCREEN%29[/url] Touch screen too.[/QUOTE] Thanks for the input. I'm really interested in those character LCD modules, the problem is I can't find any that are prebuilt, or an idiot proof set of instructions for building one. [editline]14th October 2010[/editline] I think I may have found something. [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-LCD-Display-USB-Edition-I-Smartie-module-PC-Case-/160493244377?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item255e248fd9[/url] Is it as simple as plugging it into the USB port, hunting for drivers, and then running LCD Smartie? [editline]14th October 2010[/editline] Found the instruction manual for it, looks very simple. Practically Plug n' Play. [url]http://www.sure-electronics.net/download/DE-LD021_Ver1.0_EN.pdf[/url] Now I just need to find a way to encase it in something pretty.

[url]http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/bfa3/[/url] This might be easier...

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25402780][url]http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/bfa3/[/url] This might be easier...[/QUOTE] They are also 100+ dollars more, as useful as they would be.

I have the perfect thing for $31: [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/20-4-LCD-Display-Board-UART-Based-USB-Edition-III-/230537352948?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ad18d6f4[/url] and a smaller one for $10 less: [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-LCD-Display-USB-Smartie-module-PC-Case-Edition-/350402281179?pt=AU_Laptop_Accessories&hash=item51959a7edb[/url] Great seller, though they're located in Hong Kong so things take about 2-3 weeks to arrive. You should be able to hook it right up to your USB port and then install LCDSmartie, which is fairly easy to use from what I remember. [editline]14th October 2010[/editline] Oh wow, I didn't see that you already found it, I would do that.

[QUOTE=benjgvps;25405633]I have the perfect thing for $31: [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/20-4-LCD-Display-Board-UART-Based-USB-Edition-III-/230537352948?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ad18d6f4[/url] and a smaller one for $10 less: [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-LCD-Display-USB-Smartie-module-PC-Case-Edition-/350402281179?pt=AU_Laptop_Accessories&hash=item51959a7edb[/url] Great seller, though they're located in Hong Kong so things take about 2-3 weeks to arrive. You should be able to hook it right up to your USB port and then install LCDSmartie, which is fairly easy to use from what I remember. [editline]14th October 2010[/editline] Oh wow, I didn't see that you already found it, I would do that.[/QUOTE] Thanks! Do you have any good ideas for a case? I think I might buy some plexiglass.

[QUOTE=Badal;25405928]Thanks! Do you have any good ideas for a case? I think I might buy some plexiglass.[/QUOTE] Plexiglass would work great. If you get the right size of bolt and nut, you can fit it in the outside holes in the bottom PCB, then hold the plexiglass in that way.