I'm reluctant to ignore warnings from the company on such an expensive item. Just too much money for me at the moment. Just ordered a TK40
The company's recommendation in this case exists in order to give you the most enjoyment from the light. Two primary cells will handle the load to a point, but this has nothing to do with harming the "expensive" light itself.
Just to clarify, did you mean CR123 or RCR123 or IMR 16340s? Yes, they're essentially the same size but deliver power differently. If you're just wondering if there is a light the same length as 2 x 123 cells then a single 18650 light will fit that requirement and handle the load much better.
I guess a more direct way of stating my point is to say, if you're going to specify 2 cells lights, then tell us exactly the cell type you mean. Otherwise specify a light that's the same size as a 2 x CR123 light.
Perhaps you actually did mean 2 x CR123 (primary lithium non-rechargeable) in which case you could use them with the WE Explorer but they're not going to last long or deliver the best performance.
As to 700 lumens for any pair of 123 sized batteries, that's a big negatory. 450+ lumens, it's a go!
