Business Details
32 Years
experience
Historic Searchlight Rentals & Lighting Solutions
Northern Lights Searchlights has served the Colorado and southern Wyoming regions for nearly three decades, specializing in searchlight rentals for diverse events ranging from car dealership promotions to haunted house installations. Our team took pride in maintaining the cleanest and most reliable WWII-era carbon arc and xenon searchlight equipment, adapting to technological shifts while preserving the artistry of large-scale atmospheric lighting. As LED advancements diminished searchlight visibility and overseas competitors flooded the market with cheaper alternatives, we made the difficult decision to cease operations in 2024 after 30 years of service.While our rental business concludes, we continue offering technical support, equipment repairs, and maintenance for existing installations nationwide. Our legacy includes iconic projects like the Bud Light Spring Jam in Aspen and Bernault Smilde's prism-projected rainbow art installation, demonstrating our commitment to innovative lighting solutions throughout our operational history.
Services
Searchlight rentals
Haunted house lighting
Atmospheric art installations
Equipment repairs
Technical consulting
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We maintained WWII-era carbon arc searchlights in pristine working condition
- Our team executed innovative projects like the PBS-featured prism rainbow installation
- 30 years of experience operating large-scale atmospheric lighting systems
- We specialized in maintaining visibility in challenging mountain environments
- Continued technical support for existing haunted house installations nationwide
What people say
Historic equipment expertise
Creative art installations
Reliable maintenance
Iconic event presence
Services
Searchlight rentals
We provided historic carbon arc and xenon searchlight rentals for promotional events, sports venues, and seasonal attractions. Our equipment created dramatic sky beams visible for miles, perfect for grand openings and festivals. While rentals ended in 2024, our legacy lighting solutions remain operational at select haunted houses nationwide.
Haunted house lighting
Specialized in creating atmospheric effects for haunted attractions using large-scale searchlight systems. We maintained operational units across the country before market changes necessitated business closure. Our technical expertise ensured reliable seasonal operation of these historic lighting systems.
Atmospheric art installations
Collaborated on innovative projects like Bernault Smilde's prism-projected rainbow using searchlight technology. Our team executed experimental lighting concepts while preserving equipment integrity. This included the PBS-featured demonstration of light refraction against Colorado's Flatirons mountain range.
Equipment repairs
Offered technical support and maintenance for existing searchlight installations. Our expertise covered WWII-era carbon arc systems through modern xenon technology. We continue providing repair services for legacy units despite ending rental operations in 2024.
Technical consulting
Shared specialized knowledge about historic searchlight operation and atmospheric lighting effects. Advised on equipment selection and installation challenges, particularly for operators maintaining vintage units in changing environmental conditions.
Questions
Why is Northern Lights Searchlights closing?
After 30 years, LED lighting advancements reduced searchlight visibility while cheaper imports flooded the market, making our traditional business model unsustainable.
What searchlight technologies did you use?
We operated historic WWII carbon arc searchlights, xenon gas systems, and Skytracker models, maintaining their operation through technological transitions.
Will existing installations receive maintenance?
Yes, we continue providing technical support and repairs for our remaining haunted house installations nationwide.
What made your searchlights unique?
Our large 60" WWII-era units produced distinctive beams that became harder to see as cities adopted brighter LED street lighting.
Can I rent searchlights for events now?
Our rental services concluded in 2024, but we can advise on alternative lighting solutions for special projects.
