I can't imagine why these are so expensive. It is just a reel counter with a wheel, pinch roller and a gear train that gets you to feet. Maybe you are paying for "legal for trade" accuracy/insurance.
You could probably cobble something up electronically cheaper than the mechanical deal. You just need a slotted disk with an opto detector and the pinch rollers. Getting that down to "feet" is just a choice of "divide by" counters. It could run on AA cells or a 9v.
I can't imagine someone doesn't sell that.
Call Greenlee, We could get rich.
