Part of the problem with that style of magazine was repetition of the same formula month-in, month-out. Stacks of advertising between which was sandwiched 'We edit reader's pics' and 'How to use ND filters around the wharf pilings' for the millionth time.
The best part of Popular Photography was Herbert Keppler before he passed in 2008. I still have some of the world's best Microdear micro-fiber cloths thanks to Burt. He lived and breathed photography for over 50 years, RIP.