Note 13 - Income Taxes (Detail) - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net operating loss ("NOL") (state and foreign)	$ 1,182	$ 1,159
Depreciation of property and equipment	793	815
Tax credit carryforwards (foreign, research and AMT)	440	963
Accrued vacation pay and stock-based compensation	182	162
Inventories	177	209
Intangibles	86	35
Allowance for doubtful accounts	56	56
Acquisition costs	39
Accrued warranty	22	25
Other	68	6
	3,045	3,430
Valuation allowance	(573)	(484)	(5,153)
Deferred tax assets	2,472	2,946
Net intangible assets	(307)	(358)
Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	(127)	(107)
Deferred tax liabilities	(434)	(465)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 2,038	$ 2,481