I picked up an early sample, the hotspot is brighter but smaller than a streamlight hlx protac. It seems to output roughly the same amount of light as a streamlight hlx but it's difficult to tell if the sms axis has any real advantage in total light output. I would prefer the streamlight slightly more for the light alone for the larger hotspot but it's really picking at small things that don't matter.  

The main reason to get this is to get a durable affordable light which has compatibility with crane plug tape switches and a bonus vis laser on top all of that which actually keeps zero. The package also is less bulky than a traditional light at the cost of top pic rail space. The tape switch that comes with the axis is of low durability and is a snap on polymer design. It will break if struck with force.  I recommend getting a modbutton lite or unity tape switch to replace it,  raising the cost of the system by 70 to 100 bucks. Streamlight tape switches suck and need a 150 dollar solution from surefire and arisaka to fix it plus the cost of a tape switch which adds an extra 70-100 bucks as well. At that point just buy a surefire light if you're looking for a traditional light. 

The laser is quite bright at the low power setting and it's plenty visible indoors for unorthodox shooting positions where you would mostly want to use the thing (for example giving you a precise point of aim without needing to shoulder and then index a rifle). I wouldn't want to use the laser on hi power as you can give yourself eye damage from unintended reflections indoors. Outdoors where you could make use of the hi power setting,  you would much rather use an optic to aim. Its only useful to signal.