The fact that the new R1 was redesigned with a new battery is a huge benefit and reason for anyone looking to buy this, to spend a little more and get it.
I have had numerous issues in the past and still with the old style battery, where it wont sit properly in the camera and would give me problems. I even sent the camera to them to figure out what was going on and they found nothing wrong. So i just try not to ever swap batteries if i can, because if i do, i guaranteed a problem where i have to finagle the battery in and out until it gets a good connection and i can get the battery cover on.
Trust me, get the R1 solely for the battery design upgrade.