IR Camera Conversion and hotspots

Weighing a few options here for a DSLR IR conversion:

1. Upgrade from my D200 to a D300, and send the former to one of those  
"doctors" that will remove the IR filter from the sensor.

2. Purchase a used D70 (or, maybe, it's a D70s) that has a busted  
flash for about $150 and send that in. Less money, but smaller images.

What would you do? The second option is most attractive financially,  
and allows me to spend cash on glass. I only have a few days here in  
Raleigh to decide.

One more thing, I read somewhere, maybe it was in a PF post, about  
Nikon glass being prone to "hotspots" with IR photography in DSLRs.  
The guy at Peace Camera said he'd never heard of it. I know for a fact  
I've had the problem myself. Would removing the IR filter do anything  
about this? This is my motivation to neuter the D200.