One question settles it, and it is not about money.
The question
Does a passing driver need to **read** who you are, or just **notice** that something is here?
If they need to read a name, buy the blimp. If they are already looking for you and simply cannot find the entrance, the sphere is enough and saves you $1,176.
We would rather point that out than sell you the expensive one by default.
The honest limitation
Neither works if nobody drives past.
A balloon buys height, and height only helps when there is traffic on a road that currently cannot see you. If your customers all arrive from online searches having already decided to come, spend the money elsewhere.
Count the cars that pass your frontage before you decide. If the number is small, we will tell you so.
Where it works best
- Car and truck dealers — Our largest single group of repeat buyers.
- Homebuilders — A California company flies 100+ of our blimps weekly for builder communities.
- Grand openings — Instant scale on day one with no permanent sign budget.
- Large low buildings — Wide frontage with no vertical presence. A balloon supplies it.
- Seasonal retail — Fly it, box it, bring it back next quarter.
How high, and the rules
We fly at 120 feet. Below 150 feet the FAA is not involved, so 120 leaves margin. Within five miles of controlled airspace, call the local tower and ask; in forty years we have never been refused.
The one operating rule: winds over 25 miles per hour in the forecast means bring it in. Wind is what takes balloons. Normal use does not wear them out in any way you will notice.
More at arizonaballoon.com.