Striper Wire line Reels

[freestyle0930]

Looking to upgrade our TLD25 wire striper reels. I have used the newer Tekota Line counter with braid on my buddies boat and I have to say I reeled in an over striper and it was very smooth and easy enough for my wife to do it no problem. Only problem is I want to run wire and the new style Tekota does not have an 800 just the old style. I am not sure if the old style will perform like the new. The handles are noticeable different, along with the design. Any info or suggestions would be great. Looking for a line counter model.
A buddy threw a wrench into this by saying the Okuma Cold Water Line counter is amazing? It is about half the price and reviews are mixed.

[FDHog]

I got away from wire and use 65# braid on an Avet LX Raptor. Works great with MoJos.

[BlueChip]

After working on a charter boat for years, I do anything I can to avoid wire line trolling.

I’d go braid, even a drail/ inline weight over wire

[freestyle0930]

I still am stuck on my old ways where nothing fishes like wire does I guess. I know it has its pitfalls but I still prefer it to braid.

[Schultzie]

My advice is stay away from Okuma... they sound good and look good and the price might be right, but they arent worth it... Stick with Shimano

The older Tekota's are great reels and the 800's are what a lot of guys use for wire here at the Jersey Shore.

After decades of dragging wire, I switched to the older Tekota 600's with 50lb braid and use Tandem Mojo's or the new spoons made for braid. It's a game changer

[freestyle0930]

How do you know the depth when running braid?