Pathfinder cost 290 and 6 pop and come with 2 scope m1, 2 m1a1 paratrooper carbine, cloak, 50 vision, antennas so they are not very expensive.
You also seem to underestimate the critical kills and how they can become cancerous once weapon that "scatter" damage like the BAR become available when in numbers.
Shouldn't Pathfinder and JLI have a similar pop instead of 6/8?
Shoundn't I&R Pathfinder also come at CP 0?
Imo if the CP goes down to 0 the Pathfinders should become cheaper and spawn with m1 garand and have scoped m1 locked behind some tech (Bar?/LT?)
2 snipers and 2 carbines is exactly what makes them counterable early on when they have no other squads to hide behind, as both Volks and Grens should win all low-med range engagements. The critical kills with BARs is no more an issue than it already is (or isn't) because BARs will only come after 1cp anyway.
IR Pathfinders have a lot of other good traits and a less awkward position in build order (no Paras to clutter the composition) so they are fine at 1CP imo.
Turning the snipers into an upgrade like new JLI is an option, but it would require a lot of work as their stock weapons would have to be changed (4x Paras carbine would slaughter Grens) and it might be confusing for players.
JLI are also a lot better (especially in revamp) with the sniper critting at 75% so they're good at higher popcap.