Rlaarlo buying guide

Who are Rlaarlo?

Rlaarlo are a Chinese RC manufacturer whose range now covers 1/14 and 1/12 off-road cars, the mini 1/10 Omni Terminator monster truck, 1/10 rally and on-road cars, and more recently larger models such as the 1/8 Dragon Scale Knight buggy. Some of their earlier 1/14 cars were also sold under the Amoril name, which is why you will see Amoril buggies in our Rlaarlo range.

What sets them apart from other budget brands is material. Where many cars at this price use a plastic tub chassis, Rlaarlo use aluminium plates, carbon fibre, metal gear differentials and steel drive parts on most of the range. That makes them heavier and tougher than the cheapest brushless cars, and it is the main reason people choose them.

The ranges explained

Omni Terminator (mini 1/10 monster truck)

The Omni Terminator is the car most people search for. Rlaarlo call it a mini 1/10: it is smaller than a typical 1/10 truck but much bigger than their 1/12 cars. It has a centre differential, which is unusual at this size and helps it put power down without wheelieing everywhere, plus a gyro to help keep it straight. The alloy RTR uses a 3100KV brushless motor and 45A ESC on a 3S 2200mAh LiPo, with claimed speeds of 60 to 80 km/h. Rlaarlo also make a carbon version, which uses a 2650KV motor and 60A ESC; we sell that as a roller, along with a cheaper carbon rolling chassis with a clear shell for painting.

Owners report the truck is very quick in a straight line on 3S and twitchy at full speed, so it rewards a gentle thumb. It is a basher first: big tyres, plenty of suspension travel, and a body that takes landings.

The 1/12 range: X12S, XTS-P12, AM-X12 and AM-D12

This is where Rlaarlo give the most car for the money. All four are 4WD brushless, around the same size, and share the idea of a compact car with a metal drivetrain and oil-filled shocks.

• X12S buggy: 2845 3600KV motor, 45A ESC, 3S 2200mAh pack included, 6061 aluminium chassis and 7075 aluminium shock towers. Rlaarlo claim up to 90 km/h. The quickest RTR we sell from Rlaarlo.
• XTS-P12 rally car: the same motor and ESC on 3S, with a rally body and tyres. Rlaarlo quote 80 km/h in high gear and around 50 km/h in low gear, and reviews of it have been positive, particularly on loose surfaces.
• AM-X12 buggy: 2847 3200KV motor and 45A ESC that supports 2S and 3S. It comes with a 2S 2800mAh pack and Rlaarlo claim 75 to 80 km/h, or around 100 km/h on 3S. Carbon fibre is used for the chassis and several suspension parts.
• AM-D12 desert truck: a short-course style truck on the same 2S platform, around 70 km/h on 2S and 3S capable. More body and bigger tyres make it steadier on rough ground.

The 1/14 range: ROG1 and the XDKJ buggies

The 1/14 cars are where Rlaarlo started. The ROG1 is a small brushless monster truck with a 2mm 6061 aluminium chassis, 2845 3600KV motor, 45A waterproof ESC and a 3S 2200mAh pack, and it can right itself after a roll. The XDKJ-006 and 14015 buggies are brushless 2S cars quoted at 80 km/h plus, in carbon or alloy chassis versions. The XDKJ-001 buggies, including the Amoril-branded ones, and the XDKJ-005 monster truck are brushed, using a 550 motor. They are slower, simpler and cheaper, which makes them a sensible first car.

One thing to check: the brushed XDKJ-005 truck does not include a battery, so you need to buy a pack and charger with it. The XDKJ-001 buggies come with two batteries in the box.

1/10 on-road and rally

The AK-787 is a 1/10 brushless supercar, sold in alloy (6061 aluminium chassis) and carbon fibre versions, with a 2S 3300mAh pack. Rlaarlo publish very large top speed figures for it, but they depend on battery, gearing and a long smooth road, so we do not quote one. A stock AK-787 has been run at well over 100 mph at organised speed-run events in the US, which tells you what the platform can do with the right setup and a lot of space. On normal tarmac it is a fast, stable road car. The XTS-F10 is a carbon 1/10 rally rolling chassis for builders; you supply motor, ESC, servo, radio and battery.

Alloy vs carbon vs standard: what changes

Rlaarlo sell the Omni Terminator, AK-787 and the 1/14 brushless buggy in more than one version, and the AM-X12 in a Carbon version with a carry case. The differences are real but smaller than the price gap suggests.

If you are not sure, buy the alloy version. Most cars are crashed far more often than they are raced, and aluminium shrugs off the kind of cartwheel that ends a carbon chassis plate.

Head-to-head comparisons

X12S vs XTS-P12

Same motor, same ESC, same 3S battery and the same price. The X12S has buggy tyres and a lighter body, so it is the quicker car on grass and dirt. The XTS-P12 has a rally body, rally tyres and a choice of low or high gearing, so it is the better car on tarmac, gravel and car parks, and the slower gear makes it easier for a newer driver. Pick by where you will drive.

AM-X12 vs X12S

The AM-X12 is cheaper and comes on 2S, which is easier to learn on and kinder to the car. The X12S is quicker from the box on 3S and has a sturdier aluminium chassis. If budget is tight, get the AM-X12 and add a 3S pack later; if you know you want speed now, get the X12S.

Omni Terminator vs ROG1

Both are 3S brushless monster trucks. The Omni Terminator is noticeably bigger, has a centre diff and gyro, and copes with longer grass and bigger jumps. The ROG1 is smaller, lighter and cheaper, and its self-righting feature is handy if you drive alone. Garden and park bashing: Omni. Smaller spaces or a tighter budget: ROG1.

Rlaarlo vs MJX Hyper Go

MJX Hyper Go cars are mostly 1/14 and 1/16 and cost less, but use more plastic. Rlaarlo cost a bit more and are built heavier with more metal. For the cheapest way into brushless, look at MJX and our Hyper Go buying guide. For a car that survives more abuse before it needs parts, Rlaarlo usually wins.

What to buy for your budget and driving

• Under £100, first car or a child over 14: the brushed XDKJ-001 1/14 buggy. Two batteries, 60 km/h, and nothing that will scare a beginner.
• Around £120 to £150, first brushless car: the AM-X12 on 2S, or the ROG1 if you want a truck.
• Around £150, the best Rlaarlo for most people: the X12S or XTS-P12. Both qualify for free UK delivery over £129.99.
• Around £200, bigger and tougher: the Omni Terminator alloy RTR.
• Over £225, road speed: the AK-787, alloy for durability or carbon for weight.
• Builders: the Omni Terminator carbon roller or the XTS-F10 rolling chassis.

Extras to budget for

• A second battery. Run times on small packs are short, typically 10 to 20 minutes. Match the voltage (2S or 3S) and connector to your car.
• A proper balance charger. Whatever charger comes in the box, a good balance charger is faster and safer for LiPo; see our batteries and chargers guide and the batteries and chargers range.
• A LiPo safe bag for charging and storage.
• A battery for the XDKJ-005, which does not include one.
• AA batteries for the transmitter, if your model needs them.
• Threadlock and a hex driver set for basic maintenance.

Common weak points and first upgrades

Rlaarlo cars are tough for the money, but they are still budget cars, and 3S speed at 1/12 or 1/14 puts big loads through small parts. These are the things that tend to need attention on fast budget cars of this type:

1. Pinion grub screw. Check it after the first few runs and use a drop of threadlock. A loose pinion is the most common reason a car suddenly stops driving.
2. Tyres. Stock tyres wear quickly on tarmac at these speeds, and they are a cheap way to transform grip.
3. Suspension arms and hubs. The usual casualties of a big crash. Keep a spare set from the Rlaarlo parts range.
4. Drive shafts and dogbones. Can pop out or bend after hard landings, especially on 3S.
5. Steering servo. Larger trucks such as the Omni Terminator work the servo hard; a stronger metal-gear servo is a common first electronic upgrade.
6. Bearings. Clean and check them if you run in wet or dusty conditions. The ESCs are often described as waterproof, but bearings and motors still suffer from water.

If you are moving from a brushed car, read brushed vs brushless before you go to 3S. The jump in speed is large, and so is the jump in crash damage.

UK parts availability

Spares are the hidden cost of any RC car, and a car that waits three weeks for a part from abroad does not get driven. We carry Rlaarlo parts in the UK, covering the common wear and crash parts across the 1/14, 1/12 and Omni Terminator platforms. Parts differ between platforms, so always search by your model name.

Many Rlaarlo cars are on pre-order. Pre-order items are marked clearly and show an expected date on the product page. Everything else is UK stock, dispatched from the UK. See delivery for details.