Buy, or make, a condenser. There is every reason to do so, and no reason not to do so.
Skip the learning curve that goes with the dry reactions, and avoid wasted precursors, pulled hair, chewed nails, and the frustration borne of failure. Do the long wet reflux.
If what is holding you up is the lack of a condenser, buy one or make one. That is as poor a reason for not doing a long wet reflux as there is. A condenser is anything that cools the exiting vapors enough to make them condense and be returned to the flask. There are designs for home made condensers in the stim formum threads. They work.
Seriously. Take the time to spend a few bucks to buy a condenser. or make one. The money you save by avoiding lost precursors, let alone what you make by increased yields, will pay for the condenser the first time you use it.
Good enough?