I've thought about using counters like these myself (though personally haven't had any 'cube' issues just yet).
That said, I *think* there's a more elegant design possible anyone, maybe involving layered dials, that remove the need for cubes, but I've not quite figured them out yet. I'd abolsutely like to see something like that though, as cubes can cause problems, AND we are gonna need another life/mana board very soon, especially with the new action markers available...