Homebrew PCBs

Recently, I started making electronic circuits as a hobby and now
I want to do more complex stuff like FPGAs.
For that I need to solder BGAs. I'm considering buying a hot air 
rework station. So far I'm looking at either 
   Aoyue 968 http://www.aoyue.com/en/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=359
or
   Aoyue 99* http://www.aoyue.com/en/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=375
  The first one has a digital display and a soldering iron while the 
other one has a manipulator.
  I already have a good quality soldering iron. Do you think the 
manipulator would be more useful ?

  The goal is to be able to build prototypes with BGAs (maybe up to 
500 pins). I only need to build like two boards a year for myself, 
and I am not concerned about the time it takes, as long as I can be 
reasonably sure that it will work.
  Or maybe, I should make a temp controlled toaster oven and 
dispense with the rework station already.

  Could someone with more experience share their advices ?