I’ve been a GoPro user for years, and the GoPro Max 2 has long been my go‑to 360 camera. WIRED gave it a 7/10 rating and still calls it their favorite 360 option, which is why seeing it marked down 40% felt like a tempting opportunity. Yet, after countless shoots where the camera suddenly shut down from overheating—losing precious footage in the middle of a scene—I can’t ignore the pattern.

The overheating isn’t a rare fluke; it’s happened repeatedly in varied conditions, from bright outdoor shoots to indoor events where the rig was barely moving. Each time the camera powers off, I’m left scrambling to recover what little was saved, and the frustration outweighs any convenience the Max 2 offers. Because of that, I’ve decided the only way I’d even consider trying a new GoPro model is if the company handed it to me for free—no strings attached—and even then I wouldn’t trust it for any shot that matters to my work or my audience.

Given this track record, I no longer recommend GoPro products to fellow creators who need reliable gear. Instead, I’ve started testing alternatives that handle heat better. DJI’s Action series and Insta360’s ONE X2 line have proven more stable in my own tests, delivering consistent recording without the sudden shutdowns that plague my GoPro units.

So while the Max 2’s current discount might look attractive on paper, the real‑world cost of lost footage and missed moments is too high. Until GoPro addresses its overheating issue head‑on, I’ll keep my money—and my trust—elsewhere.