Do you want the ultimate answer?

Ok, here it is.

Dunno.

Lotsa folk bought when BTC was at 1500 USD.  They lost their shirts.

Lotsa folk bought when BTC was at 5 USD.  They have, on paper, made a fortune.

So, is buying at 500 USD gonna make you money or loose you money?

Dunno.

Is buying mining hardware gonna make you money or loose you money?

Probably gonna loose you money unless you have really cheep electricity.

Do you think BTC is gonna go up?  Are you willing to gamble that it does?  If so, buy BTC.

Do you have cheap electricity?  Do you think there are going to be no major changes in the mining market over the next half year?  If so, buy hardware.

Otherwise, go to Vegas if you feel risky, buy stock if you feel kinda risky or buy a CD if you want to slowly loose your money to inflation.