GoPro 9+, Insta360 X3 reliability?

I'm looking to buy a set of action cams for a business idea, they need to be controllable from a computer so the Hero9 or newer looks like the best option since they have the Open GoPro API. I'll need to use a Media Mod enclosure on each of them to allow an external mic and external power to be used at the same time. Anyone have experience with these? I'm primarily concerned with reliability, from what I've heard it's not as good on later GoPros.

I've also found that the Insta360 X3 BLE control protocol has been reverse-engineered so if anyone has experience with those, I'd be interested as well.

The 9 in particular seems to be garbage, a friend had one that lasted a little over a month before it overheated and died and there's lots of similar reports online. The newer models seem to be an improvement over that at least.

My 8 has been good so far, but it sounds like that won't do what you're looking for.

Following this only because I have been looking for a computer controllable camera for a while and previously resorted to POE security cams with awful software/interfaces.  Now I need to google Open GoPro API.  And maybe pick Gameboy's brain after he's  been a guinea pig.

The only GoPro I ever owned (hero session 5?) was in the running for the least reliable object of any description I ever crossed paths with.

Years later before purchasing a DJI I looked into it again and sure, they were working for some folks, but there were plenty of full time YouTubers who had stories of "yep, did the giant escapade, and the GoPro recorded nothing."

 It would take earth-shattering news of obvious change for me to try them again.

Ordered up some used GoPro2s to test out a ghetto version of the system so I can gauge how much demand is out there before I commit to spending 4 digits on equipment. Hoping to keep full equipment costs below the cost of 1 new GoPro for now.

LOL at reading this thread for the first time.  My wife got me a Hero9 for Father's day and I haven't taken it out of the box yet.  I put "Micro SD Cards" on my wish list, and am planning to start shooting with it pretty soon. I hope i have better results than some of the references here.

In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :

New in the box? I'd be listing it on eBay after my experience with the brand.