N advantage in using 8-bit mode in 16×2 LCD displays

arduinolcd

Since almost all 16×2 LCD displays support 4-bit mode, and as it seems to be pretty efficient, is there a reason why they have 8-bit modes? I am using a JHD162A display with my Arduino Mega. Since the Mega has a lot of pins unused, I was wondering if I should use the display in 8-bit mode, if that could improve something. I do realize that I might be able to save a bit on the time factor by writing all 8 pins at the same time and not having to wait for the latching, and I just want to know if there's something else.

Best Answer

The time, as you say, is the only thing I've found. But it's both the added time out to the LCD and from the micro. If you've got a time sensitive application (interrupt latency, etc), sending the full byte frees up the micro.