**Abu Garcia Max Digital Line Counter Baitcast Reel - Low Profile LP (1498366) | Carbon Fiber Star Drag, 20lb/9kg Max, Lightweight & Durable - Black | Perfect for Bass Fishing & Saltwater Angling**

It's a shame to see all these negative reviews. There's a specific procedure to get the line counter to power up and it can be tricky & frustrating.1. There's a round plastic insulator that needs to be removed so the battery can make contact. To do this you must unscrew the side plate and take out the piece of plastic under the battery.2. Once the insulator is removed, you have to screw the side plate back on. This can be the frustrating part. it has tight tolerances and must be screwed back on perfectly straight and level for the battery to make contact.. If the reel still doesn't power on after doing this, the side plate is not on exactly right. I have 3 of these reels and have spent over 20 minutes on a new one trying to get the side plate back on exactly right.3. Once the side plate is on correctly you have to press and HOLD the power button until you see the digital screen fire up. If you just press without "holding", the reel won't power up. It will also shut itself off when not in use so every time you go on another fishing trip you still have to press and hold to power it back up. If press and holding doesn't work that means the side plate is still not seated correctly. I hope this helps.Once this reel is working it's the best and smoothest line counter I've ever used. It's got an awesome drag and is a real workhorse. It's worth every bit of frustration to properly seat the side plate