Operating Segments and Related Information Operating Segments and Related Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	$ 389,329	$ 338,291	$ 737,912	$ 686,743
Revenue - Intersegments	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from operations	70,272	60,721	139,402	129,017
Thermal Vision and Measurement
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	174,962	142,641	342,351	298,381
Revenue - Intersegments	4,233	4,403	7,196	9,451
Earnings (loss) from operations	41,816	27,394	81,765	66,736
Raymarine
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	46,887	47,181	91,288	93,785
Revenue - Intersegments	0	0	0	4
Earnings (loss) from operations	6,318	5,728	12,295	9,569
Surveillance
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	118,618	119,493	228,859	234,090
Revenue - Intersegments	8,490	7,083	14,280	11,986
Earnings (loss) from operations	35,346	40,821	70,300	75,722
Detection
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	14,367	15,713	26,913	35,066
Revenue - Intersegments	1,821	326	4,262	776
Earnings (loss) from operations	1,319	(1,767)	1,911	(330)
Integrated Systems
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	34,495	13,263	48,501	25,421
Revenue - Intersegments	390	473	698	1,047
Earnings (loss) from operations	30	331	209	(66)
Eliminations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - Intersegments	(14,934)	(12,285)	(26,436)	(23,264)
Other
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from operations	$ (14,557)	$ (11,786)	$ (27,078)	$ (22,614)

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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- Definition

Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 27

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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