Goodwill Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		$ 503,078
Adjustments	59,508
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	562,586
Goodwill from acquisitions	2,462
Currency translation adjustments	2,563
Goodwill, end of period	567,611
Thermal Vision and Measurement
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, as previously reported		253,226
Adjustments	59,508
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	312,734
Goodwill from acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	2,158
Goodwill, end of period	314,892
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	277
Goodwill, end of period	101,021
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	87
Goodwill, end of period	90,904
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	2,462
Currency translation adjustments	41
Goodwill, end of period	$ 22,632