Check out oldguyproductions on YouTube. He's got a 250. Bought it for 10 or 20 bucks at a garage sale. He finds tons of stuff. I've got the ATGold myself. Finally found 2 rings in one day. 2nd was silver.
I don't know if you really want to upgrade yet. You'll definitely get your money's worth with 250. Save up your clad and other stuff you can recycle or sale to refiners, till you've got enough. I started with the ATG because I wanted to hunt for nuggets but didn't want to spend the thousands. Eventhough you've got the ability to ID the target, plus pinpoint, you're still digging most of the hits. Just like on the 250. It's based on tone. The ID is based on the tone. It kinda gives you a false sense of security (if that's the right term). You'd still dig it up, because even a low ID you could still have a gold ring. The 250 would pick that up. So hang on to it. Familiarize yourself with tones. Save up for the upgrade with your finds.
That's what I'd do if I were in your shoes. It takes a good 100 hours to fully understand the ATPro. As where you can pretty much swing, beep, and dig with the 250 and the other ones. Now if it was your first one, I'd say otherwise. It's a hobby to enjoy and expand upon. Use the rewards to upgrade. It'd be more rewarding that way.
Hope that helps for what it's worth.
