Is this a low end of the Protos? How good is the 08 model?

protos line goes from entry level to the top like this.
SLG
PMR
PM7, PM8

I am not a fan of the PMR because you have to upgrade so much right off the bat but i have also heard good and bad things about them.

If you do look for one go for one that already has the UL frame, upgraded feedneck, Aluminum back cap and so on. But at the same time you can get PM7's pretty cheap now days and if that is still out of your range i would go with a G3 before a PMR. But your mini is not bad why the urge to move on already?

Oh I'm keeping the Mini, someone just offered me a trade for my old Ion.

what ups are on the PMR? i would take a PMR over an ion plus it wouldn't be a bad back up marker. But all depends on the condition and the ups.

Is there a link for it?

I'd say do it, one of my friends had a PMR, totally stock, and it worked perfectly for a long time. It was the first gen one though.

g3 are closeouts are now for 300 bucks