After 14 years of covering cameras for PCMag—including a recent review of the GoPro Mission 1 Pro—I’ve come to a hard conclusion: GoPro is no longer worth my trust. The hardware may look tough on paper, but my real-world experience tells a different story. Repeated overheating during shoots has killed my confidence, with cameras shutting down mid-use and losing irreplaceable footage. This isn’t a fluke; it’s a known problem that GoPro has failed to fix.

I’ve tested these devices in everyday conditions, not just lab environments. The overheating issues happen outdoors in warm weather, during extended recording, or even when capturing high-resolution video. The camera simply stops, and your shot is gone. For creators who rely on gear in the field, that’s unforgivable. The Mission 1 Pro might be marketed as pro-grade, but reliability is the core of any professional tool, and GoPro consistently disappoints.

Given this track record, the only way I’d even consider trying new GoPro hardware is if the company gave it to me for free—and even then, I wouldn’t trust it for important shots. That’s a sad place for a brand that once led the action camera space. I’ve stopped recommending GoPro products entirely, and I’m not alone among creators who prioritize dependability.

If you’re serious about capturing content without the risk of losing footage, look elsewhere. DJI’s cameras offer robust thermal management and reliable performance, while Insta360 provides innovative design and stability that GoPro can’t match. These alternatives have earned my trust through consistent use.

GoPro’s legacy is fading fast. For creator news, the lesson is simple: no amount of specs can replace gear that works when you need it most. I’ll be sticking with DJI and Insta360 until GoPro proves its hardware won’t overheat under real pressure.