Electronic Tape Measure for Component Reels

This is a bracket that fits a $20 electronic tape measure from Amazon. This bracket holds 8mm wide component tape.

I highly suggest using "snug" supports at 0.2mm contact distance, and use top surface ironing for best fit.

Search amazon for "Electronic Digital Tape Measure" for various sellers. It has a STM32 inside, so you could probably modify the firmware to count components instead of centimeters. 

Full disclosure: This was a quick evening project to buy me time until I get my BeanCounter (https://www.crowdsupply.com/great-big-factory/beancounter). It works pretty well and seems to provide repeatable results within +/-0.5mm, with inaccuracy induced by the start & end of the tape depending on how it is cut and how fast the end is pulled out.