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Light Up the Night: The Ultimate Guide to Sky Searchlight Rentals for Unforgettable Events
- Event Rental Team
- Dec 16
- 8 min read
Imagine what it would be like if you could fill the night sky above your event with illuminated sweeping beams of light. It would be like some sort of Hollywood premiere or movie set.
Today's nology, though, can make this happen. You can illuminate the sky with powerful sky search lights, which are rotating lights that emit concentrated beams of photons.
The origin of sky searchlights is found in the early 20th century. The military and advertisers used to use them to either look for enemy planes in the sky or simply thrill audiences.
However, these early lights still had limitations. They weren't the laser-like super-bright lights that we have today.
This blog focuses on the ways sky searchlights work and their applications. We also explore some of the benefits of using them and why you might want to consider sky searchlight rental (instead of buying outright). By the end, you'll know much more about the real-world uses of this technology and how you can implement it successfully for your purposes.
What are sky searchlights and how do they work?
You can think of sky searchlights as high-intensity spotlights that concentrate light into a particular direction and then shoot it into the sky. These lights have special characteristics letting them emit focused beams, a bit like lasers. They often sit on top of turrets, allowing them to rotate and sweep around to create patterns. This combination is ideal for light shows to be used without or alongside fireworks, drones, and other effects.
Specifically, sky search lights that we use rely on xenon gas and high intensity discharge lamps. The combination of these technologies improves the brightness and concentration of the light and enables the light beam to be viewed from a side-on angle. The effect is similar to strobe lighting where the entire path of the light beam is visible from the emitter all the way to the final destination (usually a cloud in the sky).
The motion systems that the sky searchlights use have been around for decades. However, new servos and electric options mean that beams can now sweep back and forth in time with music. They can also be hooked up to transportable power generators for more reliability and less reliance on mains power.
Many searchlights, including the ones that we offer for rental, have advanced features, like the ability to project patterns, text, or logos using laser-edged metal disks fitted to the projection units. These create images similar to the Batman symbol in the sky in the Batman movies. However, you can adjust these to your purposes to fit your event or your brand. It’s entirely up to you.
Sky searchlights require specific climatic conditions for visibility. If you want to project directly into the sky, you either need low clouds or fog to act as the “canvas.” Otherwise, the light beam won't have anything to project the image onto. It would be akin to shining a projector up into the sky instead of a screen -- no image would form.
You can also project sky searchlights onto solid objects like mountains, cliff faces, walls, buildings, skyscrapers, and the side of large ships.
If you aren't sure if you can shine your sky searchlights onto your intended object, just get in touch with our team to provide guidance.
Ultimately, sky searchlights are one of the best options for weather. Units come into their own during poor weather and can operate in rainy conditions or sunny weather where there are clouds. Ours are also fully waterproof, so you don't need to worry about protecting them outside.
The history and evolution of sky searchlights
Sky searchlights first entered use during World War II. The Allies and Axis forces deployed them for anti-aircraft detection, searching for enemy bombers and fighters in the sky. Soon after the war, though, advertisers realised their potential and adapted the technology for their campaigns and events.
Perhaps the most iconic moment for the use of sky searchlights was in the Batman movies, where filmmakers used lights to project the Batman symbol into the sky of Gotham City. Hollywood also regularly used sky searchlights to highlight movie premiere events, especially in recent times, further boosting their popularity. Other major event organizers followed suit, including theme parks, sports grounds, and race tracks.
The original sky search lights used carbon arc lamps. In a carbon arc lamp, the required arcs were generated by two consumable carbon electrodes that were placed in the open air. Light then came from a superheated carbon vapor.
The issue with this method was the requirement for a constant external feed mechanism for the carbon rods as they burned down. This need to replenish electrodes made it a high-maintenance method, requiring daily cleaning of the instrument plus regular replacement of the carbon rods every few hours. As such, these lights were expensive to run, though they were lightweight and produced a continuous spectrum.
By contrast, xenon arc lamps generated the arc between two permanent tungsten electrodes with a quartz bulb containing high pressure xenon gas inside. Because the unit was self-contained, the bulb did not consume its own electrodes, meaning it was very low maintenance. During testing, it was discovered most units lasted between 500 and 2000 hours and didn't produce any soot like the old carbon arc method. Furthermore, the xenon=generated light was brighter and replicated the spectrum of natural light.
As such, the xenon gas technology eventually replaced carbon as the main arc-creating component. Xenon offered a more luminous efficiency and was compatible with electronic control systems to move the base of the lamp around for light displays and shows.
The only wrinkle in the scheme was the extreme high pressure that the xenon bulb needed to work. Therefore, it had to be handled and installed under extreme caution. Any disruption of the gas would lead to a failure of the equipment.
Applications and uses for sky searchlights
Sky searchlights have been used for all sorts of applications, some of which we have already discussed in brief. In this section, we look at how you might want to use sky searchlights in your context:
Grand openings
One of the most obvious ways to use sky searchlights is for grand openings. For example, you could create a spectacle for a new business location or the unveiling of public works. The equipment immediately adds a sense of grandeur to events.
Corporate functions
You might also want to use sky searchlights for corporate functions. Again, these can help with branding and make a venue seem more impressive. You could set up a searchlight show appealing specifically to employees or your audience.
Sports events
As mentioned, Sky Searchlights are a great addition for sports events too. They create a high-energy atmosphere that fans can tap into to enjoy the match more. They can also emphasize any music that plays at the event.
Promotional ads
If you want to create a statement as a business, use sky search lights for promotional ads. Because of how the technology works, these can be visible for miles around and represent an extremely inexpensive way to advertise a business. Just check the local regulations in your area to make sure you are allowed to run these systems.
Weddings
Finally, you sometimes see people using sky searchlight rentals for weddings. Beams of light traveling into the sky can be used for all sorts of things, including projecting special messages for the happy couple or helping them thank their guests.
Sky searchlights can come in two varieties for these events:
Ground placement
Truck mounted
Ground placement is highly reliable, but requires some time to set up and can't easily be moved around. Truck mounted setups are more mobile and can fit in parking spaces.
It is possible to integrate Sky Searchlights with other audio-visual elements from your set, too. For example, you could sync the shining of lights and the patterns they create to the music at your event.
What are the benefits of using sky search lights for events?
As you might imagine, there are countless benefits of using sky searchlights at events. Here are some of the things that we like most about this equipment:
The high visibility
Even in highly cluttered urban settings, sky searchlights are highly visible. Customers, clients, and audiences should notice them no matter what, even if the weather is poor. This feature means you can convey your messages with ease, whether you are a business venue or couple looking to communicate better.
The ease of use
Setting up and using sky searchlights is considerably more straightforward than people imagine. Most of today’s systems are plug-and-play and connect automatically to media centers and computers. They may have on-board generators and don't necessarily require external power for additional convenience -- great if you're outside and a long way from the nearest building.
The cost-effectiveness
Sky searchlights are incredibly cost-effective, especially when using rental options. Most packages are comprehensive and come with technicians to set up your lighting, installation, and everything else you need. So you don't have to worry about ownership costs. You simply use sky searchlights when you need them.
The safety and reliability
Modern sky searchlights are also very safe. We supply units that have special waterproof designs. These reduce the risk of electrocution and prevent lighting from short-circuiting. We also offer professional operation packages so that your events can go smoothly.
The marketing potential
Finally, one of the biggest reasons to use sky search lights is the marketing potential. These lights can massively improve branding, especially locally, because of their sheer visibility to consumers.
What's more, they create a memorable experience for guests and audiences. Something as profound as sky searchlights remains in their minds for many years.
Rental option
Bay Area Lighting and Sound offers a range of rentals, a range of search skylight rentals. There are numerous packages including:
2-unit xenon rotating 2000 watt ($1000 + $200 delivery)
4-unit (
6-unit 20 R-Beams ($1200 + $200 delivery)
A Skyrider projector ($1400 + $200 delivery)
A 3-head all-in-one ($1000 + $200 delivery)
To us, you get everything that you need included. We provide the generators, technicians, fuel for up to 4 hours, setup, and hardware. If you require any extras or overtime, we can bill that separately. For example, we bill additional hours at $150/hour, and unloading fees at $100/light.
Arrival time is covered by our packages, so we come to you 30-45 minutes beforehand to set up and get ready. All of our equipment can fit in a single parking space, as long as we keep items in the truck but we can also move them to a location of your choice if necessary.
We advise you to check local rules and ordinances if there are any. Sometimes skylights aren't allowed in a particular area or you're required to get a permit. If you don't get a permit, then you could face a penalty for using skylights.
The following are some quick tips for success. Here's what we recommend:
Integrate your skylights with other rentals like sounds, music and DJs or fireworks.
Get in touch with us in advance if you want to project custom logos or images into the sky.
Check the weather well in advance of your event to make sure there will be at least some cloud cover to improve projection capabilities.
Wrapping up
Having read this blog, you should understand what sky searchlights are and why they matter. You should also know how they work and why xenon technology is now the gold standard. Sky searchlights today are mainly used in marketing and branding, however you can still use them for special occasions and events including weddings. We encourage you to explore every application.
If you need a skysearch light rentals, then get in touch with Bay Area Lighting and Sound. We can provide you with a quote for the system you need.
Ultimately, sky searchlights are a transformative technology. They provide audiences with extraordinary spectacles they'll never forget.
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