I would like to point out this company. http://www.zeph.com/ No experience, but their stuff looks really nice and well thought out. It got high recommendations in a TekScopes group.
I'd be inclined to get the reflow station from Circuit Specialists as well. I've only dealt with them once for a DAQ board, had one coworker order a reflow station, seen one other positive forum posting for the 825A, and noticed their BBB rating is A+ though. They're also only one state away from me so a station would get here quick.
BTW, have you perchance read Sparkfun's little article on soldering SMT? Reflow Skillet
Let's just say I'll be trying my hot plate for the next (my second ) SMT project.
I have an Aoyue 968 I got a couple years ago from https://sra-solder.com/ It's worked out well. These Chinese hot air reflow guns are all pretty basic. They put out hot air, though, you don't need much more than that doing hobby work.
Mine has worked well and I've done a lot of SMD work with it. The only thing I would change is I would not have gotten a soldering iron/hot air in one unit if could do it again.