Remote Office VPNs

[StraitNo7 () aol com]

     My question is regarding small remote offices with <25 users.  Business Class DSL has become an option for small 
offices since the cost is much less than a T1.  I need a VPN based solution and need some advice.  I am looking for 
your opinions of two different methods of gaining secure connectivity to a major office:

1) I know many of the draws back with using a small appliance such as a PIX or symantec appliance and allowing split 
tunneling (internet access directly instead of forcing them back through a vpn) but are they really that weak?

2) Should I just go with a IP based vpn from an ISP?  Such as using a Cosign box at the CO and allowing the encryption 
to be done by the ISP?  It would stay on the private backbone and not enter the public internet.  Although that last 
mile would be unencryption just as on a frame relay.