A tensioning system for an article of footwear, apparel or braces, comprising: a reel member configured to rotate about a central axis, the reel member having a shaft extending from a first end to a second end opposite the first end; and an optical sensing unit; characterized in comprising: a lead screw extending from the second end of the shaft and having a first set of threads, wherein the lead screw is configured to rotate about the central axis; an indicator tab mounted on the lead screw such that the indicator tab is moveable linearly along the lead screw from a first position on the lead screw to a second position on the lead screw as the lead screw rotates about the central axis; and wherein: the optical sensing unit i s disposed adjacent the lead screw and is configured to detect a position of the indicator tab at one of the first position and the second position; and the reel member is configured to tighten the tensioning system by winding a lace around the shaft based, at least in part, on the position of the indicator tab as detected by the optical sensing unit. a reel member configured to rotate about a central axis, the reel member having a shaft extending from a first end to a second end opposite the first end; and an optical sensing unit; characterized in comprising: a lead screw extending from the second end of the shaft and having a first set of threads, wherein the lead screw is configured to rotate about the central axis; an indicator tab mounted on the lead screw such that the indicator tab is moveable linearly along the lead screw from a first position on the lead screw to a second position on the lead screw as the lead screw rotates about the central axis; and wherein: the optical sensing unit i s disposed adjacent the lead screw and is configured to detect a position of the indicator tab at one of the first position and the second position; and the reel member is configured to tighten the tensioning system by winding a lace around the shaft based, at least in part, on the position of the indicator tab as detected by the optical sensing unit. a lead screw extending from the second end of the shaft and having a first set of threads, wherein the lead screw is configured to rotate about the central axis; an indicator tab mounted on the lead screw such that the indicator tab is moveable linearly along the lead screw from a first position on the lead screw to a second position on the lead screw as the lead screw rotates about the central axis; and wherein: the optical sensing unit i s disposed adjacent the lead screw and is configured to detect a position of the indicator tab at one of the first position and the second position; and the reel member is configured to tighten the tensioning system by winding a lace around the shaft based, at least in part, on the position of the indicator tab as detected by the optical sensing unit. the optical sensing unit i s disposed adjacent the lead screw and is configured to detect a position of the indicator tab at one of the first position and the second position; and the reel member is configured to tighten the tensioning system by winding a lace around the shaft based, at least in part, on the position of the indicator tab as detected by the optical sensing unit.