Generally speaking, all companies send whatever you order. Some people will order a light having plenty of batteries for it and take the opportunity to order some spares for another light or for another purpose because of shipping cost or whatever. Illumn is a great company but you have to ask them if you are unsure of anything. Hope it works out for you, but if not just order a different light for those batteries (any opportunity for another flashlight is a good thing when you join BLF).
Here’s the update on this thread: After lots of disagreement about whether or not button top cells will work in the flashlight, I contacted Craig at illumn and he told me that he shipped button top cells because that’s what my son had ordered. In addition, he said he has these flashlights on the shelf and opened one and installed a button top and it works fine. Also, my son bought his own flashlight from illumn and had it shipped to Sweden and his came with a button top, has worked fine and never gave it any thought. One more detail I mentioned before is that the manual that shipped with mine says “either button top or flat top cells will work.”
So since there’s some disagreement about this on the Forum and even about what it says in the manual regarding cells, I respectfully suggest that maybe somewhere down the manufacturing line a change was made in the flashlight? One detail . . . mine is an FW3T, not an FW3A, even though it says FW3A on the box. Could that be the difference? I never gave it much thought, as I figured it was only the difference in aluminum vs titanium.
The current situation is that Craig sent me an RMA and the flashlight and cells are winging their way back to San Jose, CA. I’m eagerly awaiting his appraisal of the situation, and I’ll post the end of this story as soon as it ends!
Any of your guys (or gals) interested in delving into why some manuals say one thing and others another?
I think it’s the OAL of the battery that determines if it works or not. My FW3A works with Sofirn BT and Lion Wholesale 30Q BT batteries. However it will not work with batteries that I soldered a copper ring to the top resulting in a greater OAL than the ones that work.
Since BT batteries aren’t created equally that’s why some people say that the light works with BT batteries but others not.
Sorry for the long delay, but it took this long for Illumination Supply to return my flashlight. I’m told that yes, all it took was to install a flat-top battery and it worked as it should. So they returned it with a pair of flat-tops this time and I’m good to go. Still think it’s a bit strange that the instruction “manual” distinctly says either flat-tops or button-tops will work.
I’m happy. It’s a great light and lots of fun to play with.
Thanks to all for your input! 
PS: As soon as I figure out how to mark this thread “solved,” I’ll do it!
No idea where you read that.
FW3A manual says:
Use only a reputable 18650 cells of known origin. Quality high drain cells(over 10A) unprotected, flat top type cells, from Samsung, Panasonic/Sanyo, Sony or LG are recommended. The supported maximum length is 66 mm
Mike
Some of my button tops fit in the FW3A, some don’t. It all comes down to battery length.
Iguess the FW3A ships with more than one manual. Mine says, “One flat-top or button-top 18650 cell. An unprotected cell is recommended. Max length 65mm. Cell is not included.” Here’s a picture of it:
That’s a bummer. Thanks for sharing,
Mike
Clue for manufacturers: when you write an instruction document, put a revision date on it. And CHANGE the revision date when you change the instructions.
D’oh.
It’s in the same manual. At the top of the manual it says to use flat top type cells now…
. Look where he’s is getting his info right across from the UI diagram in the manual…
Flat top or button top as long as they do not exceed 65mm.
It is very difficult to find button top that does not exceed 65mm, generally the shortest ones have more than 66mm.