BOB MEZA'S
VICTORY 
SEARCHLIGHTS
ADVERTISING
Don't settle for second best for your event...
use the finest Carbon Arc Searchlight you can get!
 Serving the Los Angeles area and beyond!
Since 2002
Call Bob: 818-470-5483

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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
Warner Bros "Gangster Squad"
"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"
and many more


Searchlight Advertising
Our History   Our Clients     Our light In Action
  Multi-Beam Spotlights
Searchlight Rental Rates

After over 20 years at the same price we were forced to raise

our rental costs due to the recent high increase in gasoline and diesel.

Rentals start at *$400.00 for 3 hours of minimum operation.

 $100.00 for every additional hour

*This rate applys within 25 miles of Santa Clarita which
pretty much includes all of the San Fernando Valley .
 Locations beyond 25 miles, additional mileage charges 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   $2.00 per mile for travel to your location in the
Los Angeles area. This is just to give you an estimate of transportation cost. If you are beyond 25 miles, email or call to get an accurate quote which in many cases is less than what you might estimate.
Since we already offer a discounted base price, 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 brightest and most effective light you can rent.
A light operator stays with the light until the end of the night.
The light is transported back with us every night so we charge the same price for each additional night of operation.
Optional Special Event Display:
The light is operated on its car trailer, but for an additional $200.00, the light, and generator could be removed from the trailer for special event displays.  (We must prep the trailer in advance for this, and at the location may require  1 hour to unload and setup these units.  The light and generator are moved into location by hand and must be on hard level ground at all times to unload from the trailer to it's operating location.)

Payments:

Payment is due in advance of the event date, or on the day of the event before the start of operation.  We accept Cash or  Check  only.  We try to keep our pricing as low as possible.

Earliest Time to Start the Searchlight:

We start our searchlight at the END OF CIVIL TWILIGHT, which is 25 minutes after sunset.  Remember.... the sun sets at different times throughout the year.
Start 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.
To determine the earliest time to start the searchlight on the day of your event go  HERE
and find the CIVIL TWILIGHT END TIME.  The end of Civil Twilight time is the time when it is dark enough to start the searchlight beam in the sky.
We never operate our searchlight in daylight. It must be dark enough to see the beam before we can turn on the light so the machine can be aligned properly.
We also never operate our light pointing straight up in the sky.  These lights were not designed to do this.  The light beam is set at about 45 degrees or less during  to cover a larger radius..

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 or email us with the date, address location of your event, and the hours you would like the searchlight to operate.  We will get back to you with a quote.
 

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



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 multi-beam 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 $160.00, 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 park and 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!

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

Computer speed makes the light rotate faster. 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.
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!

A Few of Our Valued Clients

CENTURY  BMW,  ALHAMBRA                       GRANITE HIGH SCHOOL, APPLE VALLEY                     ROUTE 66 RESTAURANT, CANYON COUNTRY
POWER FORD, VALENCIA                              OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN                             OMAHA JACK'S STEAKHOUSE, CUCAMONGA
DIRECT AUTO SALES, ALHAMBRA             OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE                                                       BORDER BOOKS, MIRA LOMA
BIG VALLEY DODGE,  VAN NUYS                 CULVER HIGH SCHOOL                                                        EL COYOTE CAFE,  HOLLYWOOD
CLASSIC CHEVROLET, ANAHEIM               GLENDALE HIGH SCHOOL                                                   CATWALK SHOES, SAN PEDRO
SANTA PAULA CHEVROLET                          FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL, TUSTIN                                  LENNAR HOMES, BAKERSFIELD
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                                          HOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, HOLLYWOOD              SAUGUS SPEEDWAY
NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA                                   PARACLETE HIGH SCHOOL, LANCASTER                     WAL-MART, SANTA CLARITA
MILLER TOYOTA, CULVER CITY                  ALEMANY HIGH SCHOOL, MISSION HILLS                   CALIFORINA PHILHARMONIC, PASADENA
CAMACHO AUTO, PALMDALE                     HART OF THE CANYONS CHURCH                                    CONSIGNER DESIGNER, CANYON COUNTRY
HAMER TOYOTA, MISSION HILLS              STEVENSON RANCH FOUR SQUARE CHURCH              OVERTIME BAR & GRILL, GLENDALE
DCH   HONDA, OXNARD                                 ST. PATRICKS CHURCH, NORTH HOLLYWOOD           CLUB 470 LOS ANGELES
LEXUS OF SANTA MONICA                           OUR LADY CHURCH  BAR-B-Q, NEWHALL                     CASBAH NIGHT CLUB, ENCINO
COMACHO AUTO, PALMDALE                     ST FRANCIS CHURCH CARNIVAL, BURBANK               GOOD MICROBREW, HOLLYWOOD
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA                              ST BRIDGET CHURCH, VAN NUYS                                      B-52 CLUB, LOS ANGELES
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO                               BETHLEHAM LUTHERAN , SANTA CLARITA                   ORCHID NIGHT CLUB,  KOREATOWN
CHINATOWN  LOS ANGELES                        FAITH LUTHERAN,  MOORPARK                                         LOOSE GOOSE WINE FESTIVAL, SANTA CLARITA
CITY OF LAKEWOOD                                       REAL LIFE CHURCH, VALENCIA                                          RED BULL NEW YEARS EVENT, LONG BEACH
CITY OF SAN PEDRO                                        ORPHEUM THEATRE  LOS ANGELES                                 JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER, LOS ANGELES
UNTITLED PRODUCTIONS                             LOS ANGELES THEATRE                                                       GETTY CENTER, LOS ANGELES
TLK2BOB PRODUCTIONS                             LOBERO THEATER, SANTA BARBARA                             MORTECH FINANCIAL GROUP, OXNARD
UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS                           WARNER GRAND THEATRE SAN PEDRO                        HOTEL CASA DEL CAMINO, LAGUNA BEACH
SHOOTER JENNINGS MUSIC VIDEO          HIGH STREET THEATER, MOORPARK                              TAI PAN TRADING HOME DECOR, RANCHO CUCAMONGA
JOY ASBURY PRODUCTIONS IBM              IOTA  BAKERY,  KOREATOWN                                            SIT N SLEEP, SANTA MONICA
TEAM HELPRIN PRODUCTIONS                   BARNEY'S BEANERY, BEVERLY HILLS                            "GANGSTER SQUAD"  WARNER BROTHERS  STUDIOS
BASE PRODUCTIONS                `                     MAGIC CASTLE, HOLLYWOOD                                          MOLAR MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE, VALENCIA
VILLAGE RECORDING  STUDIOS                 DOUBLE Z  DRIVE THRU,  CHINO                                       FORT McARTHUR MUSEUM, SAN PEDRO
KABC RADIO                                                       JOSEPH'S CAFE,  HOLLYWOOD                                       BOB WONDERIES FORD, ALHAMBRA
FRYCAT PRODUCTIONS                                 PANERA BAKERY CAFE, STUDIO CITY                             UNIVERSAL MINI, NORTH HOLLYWOOD
THE HISTORY CHANNEL                                CARVEL ICE CREAM, AZUZA                                                UNIVERSAL NISSAN, LOS ANGELES
PANDEMIC STUDIOS                                        T-BO's BAR- B -Q,  CANYON COUNTRY                           RIDGECREST PETROGLYPH FESTIVAL
DISCOVERY CHANNEL                                    KARMA INDIAN RESTAURANT, VALENCIA                    ROLLING HILLS CHRISTMAS PARADE
HISTORY CHANNEL                                          TANGIERS RESTAURANT, HOLLYWOOD                        MENCHIES YOGURT, CULVER CITY
JIMMY KIMMEL TV SHOW                             PASADENA ART COLLEGE, PASADENA                           DUNBAR HOTEL, LOS ANGELES
XODUS ENTERTAINMENT                               PERRELL FINE ART, WEST HOLLYWOOD                       EL PORTAL THEATER, NORTH HOLLYWOOD
HUELL HOUSER PBS                                        WILD CAT LOUNGE, SANTA BARBARA                            MAMA'S  HUMMUS, NEWBURY PARK
AUTRY MUSEUM                                                JOHN BURROUGHS HIGHSCHOOL PROM                      MODERN INTERIORS, NEWBURY PARK
FAMOUS DAVE'S BAR-B-Q, SIMI                SANTA CLARITA STREET FAIR, NEWHALL                    DUNBAR HOTEL, LOS ANGELES
MIDICI  PIZZA , STUDIO CITY                       RESEDA MOVIES IN THE PARK,  RESEDA                        "DISASTER ARTIST"   MOVIE
GROCERY OUTLET, AZUZA                           GEM KOREAN BAR-B-Q ,  CHINO HILLS                          MILLER HONDA, VAN NUYS
Mc DONALDS, LANCASTER                          PALMDALE HIGH SCHOOL, PALMDALE                         ITALIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM, LOS ANGELES
CITY MARKET SOUTH, LOS ANGELES       CULVER CITY HOTEL, CULVER CITY                              GUITAR CENTER, GLENDORA
LAEMMLE THEATER N. HOLLYWOOD      LANCASTER PLAYHOUSE, LANCASTER                        "ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD"   MOVIE
KIA  DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES               FREEDOM CHURCH, SANTA FE SPRINGS                 SANTA ANITA RACETRACK
CONJO VALLEY DAYS                                   FURNITURE NOW,   SANTA CLARITA                                PIARA PIZZA
HILTON UNIVERSAL CITY                             THE ABBY FOOD & BAR. W. HOLLYWOOD                   RAISING CANE'S BAKERSFIELD
CITY OF PARAMOUNT                                    LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA,   FRESNO                                    CITY OF OXNARD
FOX THEATER, WESTWOOD                        CROSSROADS CHURCH,  VALENCIA                                7-ELEVEN,  NEWHALL
SHERMAN OAKS LUTHERN CHURCH        THE REEF, LOS ANGELES                                                      "OPPENHEIMER"  UNIVERSAL STUDIOS MOVIE
KIA OF GLENDALE                                           "WINNING TIME" LAKERS DYNASTY  HBO                    

FILM PRODUCTION RENTALS
Our light has been in several film shoots indoors and out.      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.
    The 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 advertising and in later years as a spare parts machine for other military searchlights that had 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 remembrance 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.  To see photos, click.....HERE
To see the actual video, click...   HERE

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

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

The light was featured in the end of the year Chevy New Years Red Tag Sale,  click HERE
To see the actual commercial, 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
To view this segment of the program, click... HERE

On June 12th of 2008 our light was featured on the History Channel Program "UNIVERSE"
The End of the Earth: Deep Space Threats to Our Planet

The light was used on the feature films ...
"Hitchcock" 2012
"Gangster Squad" 2013
"Silent Life" 2016
"The Disaster Artist" 2016

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 AND WE DO NOT HAVE SMALL LIGHTS!
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 theaters and point them into the sky 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 from a longer distance 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.
     By the 1980's, because of the high cost of operating and maintaining these giant aging W.W. II Searchlights, which also required an operator, many searchlight advertising companies converted their fleet of W.W. II Searchlights back to the little compact spotlights. These are the little multi-beam 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.  In many cases, the little lights are just dropped off at your location, and you turn them on and off and are charged by the time used..
     Since the 1980's these little spotlights just did not show the results the big searchlights did in attracting people and as a result of the poor performance  multi-beam lights have in attracting people, searchlights are not used as often as they had been 40 years ago. Many event 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.  Compared 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.II Carbon Arc Searchlights do.
     Remember, when you need the power to attract large numbers of people miles away to your event, these little lights just don't have the beam 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 $365.00 for a 3 hour night, and a Multi Beam company charged $600.00 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  each light 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.
     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 location, terrain, and weather conditions, our light beam at times can be seen for  over 35 to 50 miles.
In the city of  Santa Paula it was seen from Interstate 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.


We Will Never Forget

America: Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave!
Copyright © 2019 Bob Meza