Here's an article about the 18650 batteries. According to the article, the button top batteries are protected, whereas the flat tops are not.https://commonsensehome.com/18650-battery/
Neat pipe picture! How much did your scope cost? I got the Wraith IR scope for $475 from my local gun shop that records video and I like it but it can be hard to spot critters when they're motionless standing in place. Shot at a skunk the other night and it ran off. Turns out after watching the recorded footage that I shot the tail believing it was the body. A thermal cam would've prevented that.