Yes,
That's the general dogma you get...that you HAVE to do 500mgs.

I even read where experienced guys think that using 250 mgs a week is equal to your natural test production and a total waste?

We only produce like 10 - 12 mgs a day natural and these experienced guys still say that more than 10x that amount is the same thing.
It's what I call "parroting." They say it because they heard someone they look up to saying it, but never bother doing the math for themselves.

Granted, I don't know what results you would get at 250mgs, but I'm sure a first time user would gain a lot more muscle in three months than NOT using anything.

Looking back on it, I wished I had listened and did the 500mgs I guess, but I wanted to play it safe and I have no regrets for doing so. I still gained 17 lbs of muscle and kept 11 of it at 375 mgs, not sure how to calculate fat loss, but It was fine. I'm sure I need at least 500 mgs now.