Ok, so here's a question I can't seem to find an answer to. I'm currently using RF modules that use the USART on my 18F4550 (Pins 1 and 44). Is the USART similar to the SPI where you can attach a number of devices and have the data lines go to high impedance mode when the CS line is driven high?

My ultimate problem is that the RF devices use the USART, the MCP2515 uses the SDO pin and the RN-171 uses the USART (although I assume based upon what you are saying I may be able to use some other pins but the speed would be slower).

In re-reading the datasheet, do you think this line:
• Host data rates up to 921 Kbps TX, 500 Kbps RX for the UART, up to 2 Mbps over the SPI slave
means that using the UART is faster than software SPI?