Spend the $$ on a good double pedal - I just got the 9000 double - definately took some of the suck factor out of laying down rudiments with my feet.  That is where the $$ meets the road. 

Buy crappy equipment - play crappy.

Do what you've always done - get the same result. 

I'm not trying to spend you $$ for you - the Lord knows is tough to come by these days.  But if your serious about playing, get the pedal.  Think of it this way, you will utilize the pedal probably 75% of your playing time.  The crash, you may hit 25% of the time.  To me the math is simple. Get the pedal. 

Exercises I work on now are playing single para's with my feet while say doing double para's with my hands.  Much more to be gained by that than one single crash.

Officially off my soapbox...carry on gents.

Ras