That is absolute BS! We were told in the FB group that it would work with a non-proprietary battery, as does the Seeker Pro. Not only did I already order the light, I also ordered a non Olight 21700.
Short version: The battery goes in the other way around than in the Seeker 2 Pro. They seem to use the Plus and the proprietary Minus to drive the light for the M2R Pro. They used the regular Minus to drive the light in the Seeker 2 Pro.
Regarding the regular M2R: This light is constructed COMPLETELY differently, and has an inner tube (like the FW3A or Klarus lights) so it can use a standard 18650.
If I bought the light from Amazon, tried (several) standard 21700s, and it wouldn’t work, I’d have to return the light as defective. How could I or anyone else know it would only work with a proprietary cell?
It’s probably only part of the story, but yes. My guess is that it’s also easier to manufacture that way and they save 1-2mm in diameter.
@Olight: I have a regular M2R. I bought it because I liked the UI and that you for once did not opt for a proprietary battery design. The regular M2R is very well executed. It did not fail me once.
But I don’t see the “Pro” in a “tactical” flashlight that can’t even be used with some other 21700s. Nothing “Pro” or “tactical” about this. Won’t buy.
Just seems silly, I purchased just a little while ago, going to be cancelling order first thing in the morning. Don’t care about the charging, but if the light does not work with anything but the proprietary battery that is a deal killer, bad move imho!