Last log I mentioned a 4.2" e-paper, touchscreen, and front light assembly. I've recently bought four directly from the manufacturer. The expected lead time is 45 days, but since it's shipping from China I wouldn't be surprised if these displays end up as a Christmas present.

While waiting for the above assembly to come into stock, I tried to source second options and there really isn't anything else that's as cost effective. First off, the mode e-paper sizes (for this application) are 4.2", 6", and 7.5". So I'd need to find a touch screen in one of those sizes. Adafruit sells a 7" touch screen which could be used for a 6" display in a non-ideal situation, but ideally the touch screen and e-paper are the same size. DFRobot also sells a 7" touch overlay but that seems to specifically be for the LattePanda. Orient Display sells a 4.3" capacitive touch screen but it's end-of-life. Newhaven Display sells a 4.3" resistive touch screen, but the bounding box doesn't fit the one used in this project (96.7mm x 55.5mm vs 84.8mm x 63.6mm). NKK Switches' FT series could be used for 6" and 7" displays, but just the touch screen would equal the cost of the 4.2" e-paper, touchscreen, and front light. The only reasonably priced 6" e-paper display I could find, that's not from an ethereal eBay seller, is GDE060B3 from Good Display which is $30.

NOTE: I'm an not criticizing anyone who buys parts from eBay. But I want to source parts from traceable suppliers so other people can easily duplicate this project.

There's a purchase page for a 6" e-paper, touch screen, and front light assembly from Good Display but it's sold out and I'm not sure it's still being produced. Even if it was, I can't find how to drive the IC, HX8705-B.  It seems like it does not have a built in display buffer and I can't find a development kit or even a recommended application circuit. At $60, it's right on the cusp of what I'd call affordable for a hobbyist project, but if I can get my hands on one, it could make for some fun hacking.

So I currently only have one option in stock: GDEY042T81-FT02 from Good Display which cost $28 each. According to Good Display, they manufacture this part about once a quarter. Certainly not ideal, but it's a reliable source for the time being.