Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 34,492	$ 38,485	$ 98,352	$ 106,624
Cost of goods sold	16,717	19,126	48,428	53,310
Gross profit	17,775	19,359	49,924	53,314
Costs and expenses:
Product development	1,326	1,202	4,005	4,909
Sales and marketing	6,897	6,881	20,098	22,737
General and administrative	8,748	6,644	24,270	24,674
Depreciation and amortization	1,296	1,678	4,634	5,415
Total	18,267	16,405	53,007	57,735
Operating income (loss)	(492)	2,954	(3,083)	(4,421)
Other income (expense):
Interest income	125		945	230
Interest expense	(159)	(178)	(487)	(488)
Other, net	(708)	300	560	(98)
Total	(742)	122	1,018	(356)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	(1,234)	3,076	(2,065)	(4,777)
Provision for income taxes	556	402	1,157	16,610
Net income (loss)	(1,790)	2,674	(3,222)	(21,387)
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(7)	(49)	(54)	(335)
Net income (loss) attributable to LoJack Corporation	$ (1,783)	$ 2,723	$ (3,168)	$ (21,052)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to LoJack Corporation:
Basic	$ (0.10)	$ 0.16	$ (0.18)	$ (1.21)
Diluted	$ (0.10)	$ 0.15	$ (0.18)	$ (1.21)
Weighted average shares:
Basic	17,678,213	17,378,804	17,601,996	17,330,533
Diluted	17,678,213	17,738,093	17,601,996	17,330,533