BOB MEZA'S
VICTORY 
SEARCHLIGHT
and
LED MESSAGE SIGN
ADVERTISING
Don't settle for second best for your event...
use the finest Carbon Arc Searchlight you can get!
 Serving the Los Angeles and Surrounding Area
Call Bob: 818-470-5483

f250
The only restored & fully operational WORLD WAR II ANTI-AIRCRAFT SEARCHLIGHT!
As seen on
KNBC Channel 4 NEWS
PBS's "California's Gold" with Huell Howser
   Shooter Jennings Music Video "Steady at the Wheel"
The History Channel's  "UFO Files"
The History Channel's "Mail Call" with R. Lee Ermey
Big Sign
Portable Solar Powered LED Message Boards

Rental Rates        How to Pay
Searchlight Advertising      LED Message Signs
Our History   Our Clients     Our light In Action
  Multi-Beam Spotlights

A Real Searchlight!
     When was the last time you saw a REAL Searchlight sweep the night sky for a Grand Opening , a big sale, or special event?   We're not talking about one of those little  multi-beam spotlight units that are only visible a short distance.  These little Multi-beam units are just spotlights, not searchlights.  We are talking about the really BIG, U.S.  Military Anti-Aircraft Searchlights used in  W.W.II.   The big Carbon Arc searchlight that  became the Traditional, Original "Hollywood"  Searchlight used for over 60 years at Movie Premiers, Grand Openings, and other special events.  Bet its been a while since you have seen one.

        There are a few reasons you don't see many of these BIG searchlights  around anymore. The younger generation business owner, or someone in special event promotions, has never seen a real searchlight, and just isn't familiar with the advantages of the traditional World War II era searchlight.  They may have used one of the smaller multibeam units without success, and think all lights are all the same.  They are not!  Click here to see a comparison

    Used as a creative tool in advertising and promotion, nothing says “Special Event” like a real searchlight. As for those little multi-beam lights you've seen lately, they are just spotlights, and the beam of light they produce, the beam width or even the beam's length can't compare to the power of an authentic carbon arc searchlight.

    Another reason you don't see many of these old W.W.II Carbon Arc lights around is because of age. Real searchlight units are all over 60 years old, so many have fallen into disrepair.  They are expensive to transport, and to maintain, so many searchlight advertising companies have converted their fleet to the smaller, inferior multi beam spotlight units that just don't have the power to produce the results that the real searchlights do, and as a result are not used as often.
One day, the opportunity to see a real W.W.II carbon arc searchlight like ours will disappear into history, only to be replaced by an inferior, second-rate alternative to the real thing.

    Well, now you can still rent a REAL, one of a kind, fully restored U.S. Army Anti-Aircraft Carbon Arc Searchlight from Victory Searchlight Advertising!  Our light was built in 1942 by the General Electric Company to aid World War II anti-aircraft gunnery crews in spotting enemy aircraft during night-time air attacks.   Today, the beam symbolizes rays of hope, and future peace after the war's destruction.  This beautifully restored  W.W. II  Carbon Arc Anti-Aircraft  Searchlight that helped win the "Big War" almost 60 years ago is still on Active Duty to help you  win your WAR OF SALES, or promote your big event!  W.W. II  Carbon Arc Searchlights are the traditional "Hollywood Lights".  Carbon Arc lights have been attracting people by adding glamour, and atmosphere to big Movie Premiers, Grand Openings, and other special events  for over 60 years!

   Carbon Arc Searchlights are a proven advertising, and  promotional tool used from coast to coast to attract attention to all types of events. From galas to grand openings, to fund-raisers, and festivals. These carbon arc searchlights have been known to draw attention from well over 35 miles away.  Searchlights increase traffic to your evening event by creating awareness and excitement.  People have a natural curiosity to track down the light source to see what's going on!  If you are a business in a hard to find location, the light will put you on the map, and always creates an excitement that  people remember for years!  If you have ever seen one of these lights, bet you remember where you saw it, don't you?  It's a fact that 78% of  your potential customers live within a five mile radius of your place of business, a radius that is expanded when using a searchlight.   60% of all buying decisions are being made in front of or at a store's location.

     The light can set up almost anywhere, and  we provide our own  power.  We just need enough level space on your lot to park our truck & trailer, and sweep the night sky at a 10 to 75 degree angle.   The light comes with its own operator that stays with the light during operation, and takes it away when operation is finished.  We operate our searchlight unit on its 20' transport trailer, but for special event displays,  for an additional charge of $100.00, we can take the light, and generator off the trailer, to operate on the ground.

The light is a historical museum piece on wheels that is an attraction in itself even before the beam is turned on.  Our searchlight will bring "living history" to your event. The searchlight attracts all age groups by the car load to your location!   Because so many get out of their cars to ask questions, we have found it necessary at times to set up a display along side the light that tells all about searchlights, and their place in our American military history.  Once out of their cars to see the light, people are more likely to enter your business or event.

See what our BIG powerful beam of  light can do to promote your next BIG event!

Rental Rates
Special Weekend Rates!

Friday, Saturday, or Sunday $365.00 per night with  3 hours of operation within 25 miles of Santa Clarita, and $85.00 for every additional hour if requested.  If your location is beyond 25 miles, additional charges for mileage apply. See additional mileage charges below.
Weekend nights are the most effective, high traffic nights to operate a Searchlight to attract people, so we offer special savings to you!    Despite the high maintenance costs, and ever increasing fuel costs, we still offer the lowest base rates in the
Los Angeles area for the Best Carbon Arc Searchlight you can get on the west coast!  Since we already offer a discounted base price lower than any searchlight company, we do not offer any additional discounts.  Our base pricing is far below the national average for this type of light, and this is the BEST light you can get!  Maintenance and fuel costs are just too high for this type of light to offer any further discounts.

Basic Rate:

Monday - Thursday  $390.00 per night with  3 hours of operation within 25 miles of Santa Clarita, and $85.00
for every additional hour if requested.  If your location is beyond 25miles, additional charges for mileage apply. See additional mileage charges below.

Additional Mileage Charges for over 25 miles of travel:

If your location is over 25 miles from our office at Hwy 14 and Sand Canyon in Santa Clarita, we add an additional transportation charge of  up to $1.85 per mile for travel one way in the Los Angeles area. This is just to give you an estimate of transportation cost. Please call if you are beyond 25 miles to get an accurate quote which in most cases is less than what you might estimate.

Optional Special Event Display:

We operate our light on its car trailer, but for an additional $100.00, the light, and generator can be removed from the trailer for special event displays.  (We must prep the trailer for this, and at the location requires over  1 hour or more to unload, setup, and load this unit, sometimes with extra manpower if ground is not level)

Payments:

Payment is due in advance of the event date, or on the day of the event, a contact person must present the operator with payment before the start of operation to deliver the payment.Checks should be made out to "Bob Meza's Victory Searchlight"
Payments can also be made in advance on line with your Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, by using the Paypal button below.  Follow the easy steps to enter your secure credit card information on line.  You do not have to be a member of PayPal to use your credit card.



Earliest Time to Start the Searchlight:
It is dark enough to get the best effect out of a searchlight at the END OF CIVIL TWILIGHT, which is 25 minutes after sunset.  Remember.... the sun sets at different times throughout the year.  This time ranges from as early as 5:15 PM December 22nd in the Winter months to as late as 8:30 PM on June 21st the Summer months.
Determine the earliest time to start the searchlight on the day of your event...  HERE

Book in Advance!

First come, first served.  Don't wait till the last second to book our searchlight. You should reserve the searchlight as far in advance as you can to ensure it will be available for the day of your event.   You may reserve the searchlight as far in advance as you wish, and may even reserve it yearly for your annual event.
Call us with the date, address location of your event, and the hours you would like the searchlight to operate.  Once we quote you a rental price, you may make your payment on line using your credit card in the payment section above.
 

For booking, and questions, call or email...
Bob Meza
Cell: 818-470-5483
Call anytime, 24/7 (if no answer, leave a message, I will call you back ASAP.
Email: bobz299@yahoo.com

SEE THE LIGHT!
SEE OUR  5 FT WIDE BEAM, 5.6 MILES LONG!

Actual Speed is 2 RPM



You May Need A Little More:

When people come to the light many times they ask... "What's the light for?"   We hear this all the time.  Sometimes people  need to know why the light is at a location, and where to go.   Events like carnivals, or movie premiers are obvious, but if you are a business, especially in a shopping center location, you may need a BIG SIGN or banners that say GRAND OPENING, or BIG SALE to stand out from the rest of the businesses so people are directed to your business.  Find out more about our LED message signs, and the lowest rates in Los Angeles HERE

You may also use balloons, pennant flags, and streamers to direct people to your business entrance.
Flagpro is a company that has these items... http://www.flagpro.com/store/page21.html


WHAT IS
SEARCHLIGHT ADVERTISING?
    Searchlight Advertising is the use of a very powerful light beam that creates the curiosity to attract people to your special event location.
    In a way, Searchlight Advertising is a form of broadcasting like Radio or Television.  Instead of using radio waves as a signal to deliver a message, the searchlight signal is a very bright beam of light without a message!   People are very curious, want to know what the message is, and have been known to drive for miles to track down the light to find out what's going on.
        A searchlight can be used to promote a Grand Opening, Big Sale,  Movie Premiere,  Carnival,  and  any special event that invites the public to attend.
    Just like with broadcasting, the more powerful, and stronger the signal, the more people will be able to receive the signal, and follow the light beam to your event.  Searchlights attract a  wider demographic group than most media. From young children, to the very old, they are all attracted to the giant beam of light in the sky!
     It's a fact that 78% of  your potential customers live within a five mile radius of your place of business. A searchlight expands this radius of potential customers!   60% of all buying decisions are made in front of, or at a store's location.
     The Carbon Arc  searchlight in the photos above is the one, and  only "True" Outdoor Advertising Searchlight that has been used for over 60 years!  These carbon arc lights have the most powerful light beam you can get for your event.
     Carbon Arc Searchlight Advertising started after W.W. II when the military replaced Anti-Aircraft Searchlights with RADAR systems to spot enemy aircraft in the night sky, making searchlight systems obsolete. The military sold the surplus searchlights off to the public which started the Outdoor Advertising Searchlight Industry.  A rare example of a  peace time use of a military weapon of war.
     In recent years, smaller, multi-beam spotlights have been developed in an attempt to replace the aging, W.W.II Carbon Arc Searchlight, but these little spotlights are not very bright, and do not attract people from miles away like the W.W. II Carbon Arc Searchlight.  Multi-beams just don't have the beam power, or range of a real W.W.II Carbon Arc Searchlight.
Don't settle for second best for your event. Be sure its a real W.W. II  Carbon Arc Searchlight!

Our Valued Clients

CENTURY  BMW  ALHAMBRA               GRANITE HIGH SCHOOL, APPLE VALLEY                     MORTECH FINANCIAL GROUP, OXNARD
POWER FORD, VALENCIA                      OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN                              PANERA BAKERY CAFE, STUDIO CITY
DIRECT AUTO SALES, ALHAMBRA     OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE                                                      CARVEL ICE CREAM, AZUZA
BIG VALLEY DODGE  VAN NUYS          CULVER HIGH SCHOOL                                                        ROUTE 66 RESTAURANT, CANYON COUNTRY
CLASSIC CHEVROLET, ANAHEIM       GLENDALE HIGH SCHOOL                                                   OMAHA JACK'S STEAKHOUSE, CUCAMONGA
SANTA PAULA CHEVROLET                  FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL, TUSTIN                                  EL COYOTE CAFE,  HOLLYWOOD
LANCASTER FORD                                    HART HIGH SCHOOL, NEWHALL                                      NEWPORT YACHT CLUB
SANTA PAULA FORD                                SIMI HIGH SCHOOL                                                               COMPUSA,  MONROVIA
Wm L Morris CHEVROLET SIMI            MOORPARK SCHOOL DISTRICT                                      REAGAN LIBRARY, SIMI
VALENCIA LEXIS                                       SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL                                                       QUEENS FITNESS, GLENDORA
GLENDALE INFINITI                                  BETHLEHAM LUTHERAN , SANTA CLARITA                 SAUGUS SPEEDWAY
NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA                           FAITH LUTHERAN,  MOORPARK                                        PEPSI COLA
MILLER TOYOTA, CULVER CITY         ST FRANCIS CHURCH CARNIVAL, BURBANK               CALIFORINA PHILHARMONIC, PASADENA
HAMER TOYOTA, MISSION HILLS      HART OF THE CANYONS CHURCH                                    CONSIGNER DESIGNER, CANYON COUNTRY
CITY OF SAN PEDRO                               STEVENSON RANCH FOUR SQUARE CHURCH              FAMOUS DAVE'S BAR-B-Q, SIMI
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO                      ORPHEUM THEATRE  LOS ANGELES                                 KARMA INDIAN RESTAURANT, VALENCIA
CITY OF LAKEWOOD                             WARNER GRAND THEATRE SAN PEDRO                         CASBAH NIGHT CLUB, ENCINO
KABC RADIO                                              LOS ANGELES THEATRE                                                       CATWALK SHOES, SAN PEDRO
THE HISTORY CHANNEL                       ST. PATRICKS CHURCH, NORTH HOLLYWOOD           TANGIERS RESTAURANT, HOLLYWOOD
PANDEMIC STUDIOS                               OUR LADY CHURCH  BAR-B-Q, NEWHALL                     ORCHID NIGHT CLUB,  KOREATOWN
FRYCAT PRODUCTIONS                         MOLAR MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE                                   LOOSE GOOSE WINE FESTIVAL
XODUS ENTERTAINMENT                      DOUBLE Z  DRIVE THRU,  CHINO                                        TAI PAN TRADING HOME DECOR, RANCHO CUCAMONGA
HUELL HOUSER PBS                                LENNAR HOMES                                                                        BARNEY'S BEANERY, BEVERLY HILLS
UNTITLED PRODUCTIONS                    BORDER BOOKS, MIRA LOMA                                            T-BO's BAR- B -Q,  CANYON COUNTRY
TLK2BOB PRODUCTIONS                     CHINATOWN  LOS ANGELES                                                JOSEPH'S CAFE,  HOLLYWOOD
UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS                    CLUB 470 LOS ANGELES
SHOOTER JENNINGS MUSIC VIDEO   HOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, HOLLYWOOD
JOY ASBURY PRODUCTIONS IBM      PARACLETE HIGH SCHOOL, LANCASTER
TEAM HELPRIN PRODUCTIONS           HOTEL CASA DEL CAMINO, LAGUNA BEACH
BASE PRODUCTIONS                `             DISCOVERY CHANNEL
VILLAGE RECORDING  STUDIOS         HISTORY CHANNEL

FILM PRODUCTION RENTALS
There are only about 5 of these restored Searchlight Units in the USA, and our unit is the most complete, only fully functional, accurate restoration that we know of in the world.    Our light can be positioned and directed as it could in W.W. II by remote control .   If you need more lights, we may be able to arrange to get the other  restored units to your location.  We also have access to non working prop Military Searchlights that can be used for special effects, bullet hits, etc.  Our light can also be used for special lighting effects as it was used in the music video"Steady At The Wheel" with Shooter Jennings.
OUR SEARCHLIGHT'S HISTORY
    The Searchlights of World War II were a universal feature of defense used by all participants in the conflict, and in use specifically in Normandy by the "Skylighters" of the 225th AAA Searchlight Battalion.  Today, the beam symbolizes rays of hope, and future peace after the war's destruction.
    Our General Electric Model 1942-A  Searchlight was one of these weapons of war, and was used to guard the California coast against night air attacks during W.W. II.  After the war, the light spent many years at China Lake Navel Reserve in Ridgecrest California before it was sold in the early 60's to a Searchlight advertising company in Bakersfield California. There, the light was used for advertisint, and in later years as a spare parts machine for other military searchlights that had already been converted for commercial advertising use.
    In October of 2001 the light was moved to Santa Clarita where it was restored as a tribute to the "Greatest Generation" of men, and women who bravely served, fought, and gave their lives for our freedom in World War II.  It will be used to help promote military's living history, and the rememberance of our veterans, as well as keeping the "American Tradition" of using  W.W.II Carbon Arc Searchlights for advertising alive in the Los Angeles area, and the rest of the United States.
    After  over a year of restoration, our lights first duty was on September 11, 2002, at a special event tribute  to the many brave Police, and Firemen who lost their lives helping to save others in the 911 attack in New York.

To learn more about our Historical Light, click.....HERE

Our light made history, seen on NBC TV News on April 2003, click.....HERE

Our light on Huell Howser's "California's Gold" KCET February 25th, 2004 click... HERE
To See the actual show, click.... HERE

Our light used in Shooter Jennings music video "Steady at the Wheel"  click...   HERE

Our light was featured in a History Channel "UFO Files" episode "UFO's and the White House".

Our light was featured in the end of the year Chevy New Years Red Tag Sale,  click HERE

On April 13th of 2007, our light was featured on a History Channel program "Mail Call"
with R. Lee Ermey. Episode #93, The great L.A. Air Raid of 1942.
To see photos of this event, click....  HERE
Download and see the segment HERE

On June 12th, our light was featured on the History Channel Program "UNIVERSE"
The End of the Earth: Deep Space Threats to Our Planet

To see W.W. II Searchlights and, how they were used in war, click....  HERE

Get more information on Searchlight W.W.II History at the Skylighters web site here...   HERE

Learn about the Carbon Arc Light, click ......HERE


Multi-Beam Spotlights
When it comes to attracting people to your event
SIZE DOES MATTER!
Don't be fooled by those little multi-beam lights that have four beams.  They are not searchlights, they are just spotlights, not very bright,  and we do not have them.

Here is a little history.......
Before W.W.II, Movie Studios would set up their studio spotlights used for filming movies, in front of movie theatres to attract attention when they would premier a new movie.
After W.W. II, the giant military searchlight became available as war surplus.  With it's larger,  brighter beam, it was soon found to be more spectacular, and effective in attracting people to the event. They soon replaced these little movie spotlights, and the Big Searchlights of W.W. II became the standard for Hollywood Premiers, Grand Openings, and other big events.
     As the years passed, because of the high cost of operating, and maintaining these giant aging W.W. II Searchlights, which also required an operator, many advertising companies converted their fleet of W.W. II Searchlights back to the little compact spotlights. These are the little multibeam spotlight type units you see today.
Even though smaller, and not as bright, these advertising companies still charge the same price or more to rent out these little lights  as they did the BIG W.W.II Searchlights, and they don't require an operator.  The little lights are just dropped off at your location, and you turn them on and off.   These little spotlights just did not show the results the big searchlights did in attracting people, and as a result of the poor performance of multibeam lights in attracting people, searchlights are not used as often as they had been 20 years ago. Many promoters think the multi-beams are the same as the big lights, and do not realize that SIZE DOES MATTER!
    Some outdoor advertisers promote these multi-beam lights as a replacement for the real thing, but they are not even close.  Compaired to a real searchlight, they are just big flashlights!  On the average, these little dancing lights look nice up to a few blocks away, maybe 1.5 miles at best in the city.  The multi-beams are great for localized atmosphere enhancement of an event that is already established, but they just do not have the power to attract people from very far away like the BIG W.W. Carbon Arc Searchlights do.
     Remember, when you need the power to attract large numbers of people from miles away to your event, these little lights just don't have the candle power our W.W. II Searchlight has to attract attention.  Just because Multi-beams units are smaller does not mean they are cheaper to rent. In most cases, the cost to rent a little Multi Beam light may be more to rent than our real Searchlight!  In one example, we charged $350 for a night, and a Multi Beam company charged $600 for the same location!
     A multi beam company might tell you their light is better because their unit has 4 lights, but what good are they if they can only be seen for a few blocks! One BIGGER, Brighter, and Longer beam is more effective in attracting people from miles away to your location.  Call us first, and see what we can do for you.
     Our classic W.W. II Carbon Arc Searchlight has over 3 times brightness, and more than twice the beam width of those little multi-beam type light units.  Our Searchlight has a light output of  800 million candle power, and produces a 5 foot wide beam 5.6 miles in length.
     Depending on terrain, and weather conditions, our light beam at times can be seen for well over 35 to 50 miles.
At Santa Paula it was seen from the I-5, Moorpark, and Ventura.
Located at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, it was seen from the Staples Center .
Don't settle for second best for your event. Use a Real Military Carbon Arc Searchlight!
Learn more about the difference between these two types of lights.
Click here to see a comparison of the little multi-beam light with our BIG Carbon Arc Searchlight. 


Need more for a really BIG Special Event?
Contact:  "ABSOLUTE HOLLYWOOD" Located in Texas.
They are nationwide event planner based in Texas, that can provide Wild Six Story Tall Multi-Media Stratosphere Projection Domes for Giant Screen Video projection,
Laser Light Shows for Special events and much more!

We Will Never Forget

America: Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave!
Copyright © 2003 Bob Meza