Will the Zebralight SC63 work with fully protected 18650 batteries?

Normally I wouldn't have thought to even ask this question, but I came across a curious statement in a review of the Nitecore SC63 on Amazon:

Zebralight was able to make it [the SC63] shorter by using unprotected 18650 cells. The safety circuitry is in the flashlight instead [of in the batteries]. Protected [18650] batteries add similar circuitry, making the batteries longer.

I have quite a few fully protected 18650 cells, all made by either Nitecore or Olight. I just bought 3 more 3400 mAh Nitecore NL189 fully protected 18650 cells, when Andrew-Amanda had them on sale for $11.50 ea., in anticipation of buying a Zebralight SC63.

I measured my 18650 cells, and they are remarkably uniform, measuring 69.0mm to 69.25mm from the base to the button top.

So my question remains, will the Zebralight SC63 work with fully protected 18650 batteries?

Thank you!

Nope. Not at all.

Good unprotected cells cost half of what you paid. Start buying lights that have protection built into the light is my suggestion.

staticx57 said:

Good unprotected cells cost half of what you paid. Start buying lights that have protection built into the light is my suggestion.

Click to expand...

Would you recommend some good unprotected 18650 cells, and where to buy them? Thank you.

Edited to add: Should I get button top, or flat top 18650 cells?

The sc63 will only fit unprotected flat top. Sanyo 18650GA are recommended.

You might try Illumination Supply

Why not just use IMR Cells, most of them are unprotected and come with flat top which is great for those pogo pins used in SC63 and newer Zebralight lights.