I've got a bunch of Tekota's (300's and 500's) and absolutely love them. I agree that they are great for plugging and a blast in the ocean when you want to know your depth. Very high quality reels that last many years. The only downside is that they are fairly spendy new. You can find them used for reasonable prices if you keep your eyes open. With that being said, I have seen the Cabelas line counter reels on sale for $35 on a regular basis. They don't feel as smooth as the Tekota's, but for the price they might be worth a shot.

Strike Zone...I'm just curious why you don't like line counters?