Hardware or Software Mod for Homebrew

[Lobo the Duck]

I really want to get into gamecube homebrew development and i have 2 options and i need to know whats better for developing/testing homebrew code.

I dont want to use AR because i cant find an old one without spending a bomb.

So my only other options are the Viper GC Extreme or the SD Media Launcher.

What would you guys suggest

thanks in advance :)