I confess I've never used a 20x4, nor have I seen a pinout with E1 and E2.
The pinout of that Powertip (your link) has the same pin description as many other Powertip LCDs which I HAVE used and work fine (albeit from PIC and not PICAXE).
It is also the same pin description as 20x4 LCDs from Batron, Everbouquet and Varitronix.
Batron spcifically use Hitachi controllers.
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/61214.pdf
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/47112.pdf
Don't get too tied up with specifically
Hitachi, there are many 'clones' of that good old driver eg Sunplus.
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/111851.pdf
Notice the main interface pin descriptions?
Having said all that I agree with the concensus about Data Sheet reading.
At a guess I would guess that it would behave like a 'Hitachi' controller, but that is a guess.
And it is cheap. And Powertip is a good make.
And I would add that Powertip would have to be pretty bleedin' stupid to bring out an LCD with identical pins to other makes (and their own modules), but needing significantly different controls.
Without a specific data sheet my only query would be whether it could work in 4-bit mode, simply for wiring convenience. I would bet £50 that it can.
But actually getting it working how you want it to is your job
As to whether its the same as the stuff off Ebay, I don't know ... I don't use Ebay.
PS. I'd like to add one thing for UK buyers after a recent experience.
Many UK suppliers bought their imported LCDs/GLCDs some time ago at a higher exchange rate. When supplier's stocks need replacing you will see a sudden and significant price increase due to the drooping pound. You may see a 20 - 30% price increase.
So, I'm not suggest that you should rush your purchase or 'panic buy'. But, if you are confident it is 99% OK then buy it now rather than in a month or two.
