Document and Entity Information [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] CURRENT ASSETS: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Marketable securities at fair value Marketable Securities, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,918 and $3,534, respectively Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Allowance for accounts receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Inventories Inventory, Net Prepaid and other expenses Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid and receivable income taxes Income Taxes Receivable, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Total current assets PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $49,361 and $46,206 respectively Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment DEFERRED INCOME TAXES Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent INTANGIBLE ASSETS--NET Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net INTANGIBLE ASSETS-NET GOODWILL Goodwill OTHER ASSETS--NET Other Assets, Noncurrent OTHER ASSETS-NET TOTAL ASSETS Assets, Total TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] CURRENT LIABILITIES: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Short term debt Short-term Debt Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued and other liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Current portion of deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Accrued compensation Employee-related Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities LONG TERM DEBT Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities DEFERRED REVENUE Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent DEFERRED INCOME TAXES Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES Other Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent Employee Related Liabilities Noncurrent ACCRUED COMPENSATION Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits. Used to reflect the long-term portion of the liabilities (due beyond one year or operating cycle). Total liabilities Liabilities, Total Total liabilities COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (NOTE 10) Commitments and Contingencies EQUITY: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Preferred stock-$.01 par value; authorized, 10,000,000 shares Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock--$.01 par value; authorized, 35,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 18,456,794 at June 30, 2011 and 18,296,959 at December 31, 2010 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total LoJack Corporation equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Total LoJack Corporation equity Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Total equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity, Total TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Revenue Revenue, Net Cost of goods sold Cost of Goods and Services Sold Gross profit Gross Profit Gross profit Costs and expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Product development Research and Development Expense Sales and marketing Selling and Marketing Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Total Operating Expenses, Total Total Operating income (loss) Operating Income (Loss) Operating income (loss) Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest income Investment Income, Interest Interest expense Interest Expense Interest expense Other, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Total Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total Income (loss) before provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to LoJack Corporation Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) attributable to LoJack Corporation Net income (loss) per share attributable to LoJack Corporation: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average shares: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net loss Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Non Cash Revenue From Warrants Non cash revenue from warrants Amount of non-cash revenue relating to fair value adjustments to warrants and deferred revenue recognized during the period on vested warrants. Non cash revenue from warrants Allowance for doubtful accounts Provision for Doubtful Accounts Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Loss on disposal of property and equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposal of property and equipment Gain on marketable securities Gain (Loss) on Investments Gain on marketable securities Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Prepaid and other expenses Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid and other expenses Prepaid and receivable income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Prepaid and receivable income taxes Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Investment in property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Investment in property and equipment Purchase of marketable securities Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchase of marketable securities Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Restricted cash Net cash used by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used by investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Exercise of stock options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Repayment of debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayment of debt Proceeds from debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Payment of tax withholding obligations related to stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Payment of tax withholding obligations related to stock Net cash provided (used) by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided (used) by financing activities EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories [Abstract] Inventories [Abstract] Stock Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock Compensation [Abstract] Stock Compensation [Abstract] Investments and Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Investments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Investments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt [Abstract] Debt [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Public Float Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]