I don't know if anyone has suggested it, but you can't go wrong with an Ambassadeur. I've been using two of them for 15 years for catfishing and haven't had a single problem with them yet. I know this probably doubles the price of each compared to what you were looking for, but they're the smoothest reels I've ever used, and even have been used in saltwater without showing any wear. We bought a few of the line counter reels last year and they were accurate with a full spool, however I can't attest to how well they'll hold up over time as they were only used for a handful of trips. I believe they're still made in Sweden, so not made here, but it's better than Chinese junk.

I can't provide any input on the other reels mentioned but the best advice I can give is to go into Cabela's or Bass Pro and pick them up and see what they feel like to you. Then read some customer reviews online about the reels you liked and make a decision based on that.

Good luck with the purchase.