This kit can be used on phi-panel backpacks or any 20X4 character displays.

Includes:

Laser-cut 3mm-thick glossy/matte black acrylic face plate with window to mount a 20X4 character LCD and a rotary encoder and push buttons. You choose which side to use, glassy or matte. Brown/white color is removable protective layer on both sides.

One rotary encoder with click-able shaft

6 tactile buttons with black caps

8 short standoffs for LCD and keypad circuit board, 4 long standoffs for the face plate, 12 screws and 12 nuts, all M3 in size

6 button covers in case you want to cover up the button holes you don't use

PCB for the rotary encoder and 6 buttons

This is an ideal solution to integrate an LCD and a keypad to your project and look awesome. Best combined with a phi-panel backpack with 20X4 LCD.

The picture showing LCDs and backpacks are for illustration only. The kit DOESNOT include LCD or phi-panel backpack. For phi-panel backpacks with LCDs, please purchase them as separate items in my store. The kit DOESNOT include a knob. I am still looking for nice knobs without the black line on the top. This knob pictured comes from an old instrument.

http://www.inmojo.com/store/liudr-arduino-and-physics-gadgets/item/serial-lcd-back-pack---phi-panel/

Videos:
The following features are made by sending text to the panel and the panel renders long messages, menus and dialogs. Arduino doesn't have to do any of these hard work.








There are three face plate layouts for phi-panel backpacks. Here are their pros and cons for your convenience:
1) 4X4 matrix keypad (only available for 16X2 displays)
Pros:

Offers the most keys

Multi-tap access to all characters (upper and lower cases), numbers, and symbols

Escape key brings up panel settings menu to adjust settings

Very easy to make it into a password keypad or numerical entry keypad

Cons:

Big and industrial looking

Fixed layout

2) Rotary encoder keypad
Pros:

Slick design with rotary encoder for up/down and enter (click shaft)

Rotary encoder can quickly scroll through long lists or vary numbers quickly and still maintains precision

Your choice of either glossy or matte (flip the panel)

Your choice of encoder knob

Six locations for additional buttons. Cover those not in use with included button covers.

Choose any location for any function

Cons:

Only up to 5 additional keys besides the rotary encoder

4 more screw holes on the panel

Not able to use multi-tap, not enough keys to do so

3) Directional keypad
Pros:

More intuitive than matrix keypad for menu navigation

Up to 8 keys and 8 key locations. Cover those not in use with included button covers.

Choose any location for any function

Cons:

Only up to 8 keys

4 more screw holes on the panel

Not able to use multi-tap, not enough keys to do so