If you happen to have a Lofrans windlass you could look at the Lofrans Thetis. I have the 7003 onboard (which is not remote) and that will give me the amount of meters chain we have out. You can also set it to feet if you wish.
I can't tell you if it will work with any other brand windlass, perhaps someone here can enlighten you.
As for remote operation, the Thetis can be had in a remote version.
And the chain pile ? If you have a good way to avert that one I will be all ears, since it is indeed very annoying to have to run down to push the chain around while you are raising the anchor. I am playing with some ideas, but nothing concrete yet, so am all ears.
