Goodwill Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		$ 503,078
Adjustments	57,706
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	560,784
Goodwill from acquisitions	2,438
Currency translation adjustments	(4,941)
Goodwill, end of period	558,281
Thermal Vision and Measurement
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		253,226
Adjustments	57,706
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	310,932
Goodwill from acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	(1,916)
Goodwill, end of period	309,016
Raymarine
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		100,744
Adjustments	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	100,744
Goodwill from acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	(2,869)
Goodwill, end of period	97,875
Surveillance
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		90,817
Adjustments	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	90,817
Goodwill from acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	(156)
Goodwill, end of period	90,661
Detection
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		38,162
Adjustments	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	38,162
Goodwill from acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	0
Goodwill, end of period	38,162
Integrated Systems
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		20,129
Adjustments	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	20,129
Goodwill from acquisitions	2,438
Currency translation adjustments	0
Goodwill, end of period	$ 22,567