do unprotected lithium-ion batteries = better performance?

[Cyparagon]

A little (ok, A LOT) more expensive than the cheapo protected cells, but worth the extra $ IMHO.....https://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=53_57

And what makes them worth four times that of what DX sells?

is there a "protection" circuit in the laser as well?

Good question. I'd say no since wicked sent protected cells, and nothing is mentioned on their site, but you never know with those guys.

 

[Deleted member 8382]

be very carefull when placing batteries in parallel. If one discharges just a bit faster than the other, this one will be charging the second one all the time!

 

[aXit]

A little (ok, A LOT) more expensive than the cheapo protected cells, but worth the extra $ IMHO.....https://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=53_57

They're cheaper if you buy from AW on CPF:
AW's LiIon Batteries Sales Thread *Part 11* - CPFMarketPlace