Goodwill Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 575,701
Currency translation adjustments	(14,258)
Goodwill, end of period	560,488
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(955)
Instruments
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	163,995
Currency translation adjustments	(6,107)
Goodwill, end of period	107,841
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
OEM & Emerging Markets
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	92,166
Currency translation adjustments	(3,389)
Goodwill, end of period	87,822
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(955)
Security
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	48,199
Currency translation adjustments	(1,795)
Goodwill, end of period	46,404
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Maritime
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	114,419
Currency translation adjustments	(2,091)
Goodwill, end of period	112,328
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Surveillance
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	108,693
Currency translation adjustments	(852)
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Detection
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	48,229
Currency translation adjustments	(24)
Goodwill, end of period	48,205
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	$ 0