Not too sure I'd like fooling with a line counter that's not on the reel. Little too hard to read when letting line out, and trying to run the boat at the same time. When the line counter breaks, you basically throw the rod away or buy a line counter reel, so you are back to getting a line counter reel. There are some very good line counter reels that don't cost and arm and a leg. I've used Okuma's for years and have never had one fail.

Doug Johnson