I get my tally counters from tallycounters.co.uk
As said above, use them on short legs, don't go on counting for ever and if it's more important to have a pole in your hand than a counter, it's not rocket science to count normally.
Mechanical counters are much more reliable than electronic types, less to go wrong. Its never happened to me but I have heard of them freezing when they get water inside them.
Using an electronic pedometer to measure paces is I think asking for trouble, they measure body movement.
You can get the alleged steps to go up by rocking backwards and forwards.
So I think it's a case of try things out and seeing what works best for you.