I had a "regular" inReach for about a year (after three years of using a SPOT)- great device, but I use my phone for my GPS (Gaiagps) so it was a little redundant on the GPS end of things; then the Mini came out at half the weight. Found a guy who wanted to trade (regular for a Mini) and have owned the Mini for a little over a year and am very satisfied with it.
The Mini has no problem working under a canopy (at least a typical western forest canopy- rain forest canopy?). Sometimes (adventure races) I put it in tracking mode so folks can follow my progress (or lack thereof!) and it works fine in thick canopy or even in very deep draws.
It's probably the most useful 3 oz of stuff I carry
