The decode zone is a function of various symbol characteristics including density, print contrast, wide-to-narrow ratio, and edge acuity. The width of the decode zone at any given distance must be considered when designing a system.
Note: Decode zones correspond to the specific laser option type installed in each individual Apex PDT. Verify the laser type before reviewing data for your specific unit.
Standard Laser
The Apex PDT equipped with the Standard Laser decodes the symbols as shown below. The values shown are typical. The associated table lists the typical and guaranteed distances for selected bar code densities. The minimum element width (or "symbol density") is the width in mils of the narrowest element (bar or space) in the symbol. The maximum usable length of a symbol at any given range is shown below.
| Symbol Density | Typical | Guaranteed |
| (in.) | (mm) | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum |
| (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) |
| .005 | .127 | 2.75 | 6.98 | 7.0 | 17.78 | 3.7 | 9.40 | 5.0 | 12.7 |
| .0075 | .191 | 2.25 | 5.72 | 11.0 | 27..94 | 2.75 | 6.98 | 9.0 | 22.86 |
.010 | .254 | 1.75 | 4.45 | 15.75 | 40..00 | 2.5 | 6.35 | 13.0 | 33.02 |
.015 | .381 | 2 | 5.08 | 22.0 | 55.88 | 2.5 | 6.35 | 19.0 | 48.26 |
.020 | .508 | 2 | 5.08 | 30.0 | 76.20 | 3.0 | 7.62 | 21.0 | 53.34 |
.040 | 1.01 | 3.75 | 9.53 | 56.0 | 142..24 | 5.0 | 12.70 | 30.0 | 76.20 |
.055 | 1.40 | 5.0 | 12.7 | 66.0 | 167.64 | 6.0 | 15.24 | 36.0 | 91.44 |
Long Range Laser
The Apex PDT equipped with the Long Range Laser decodes the symbols as shown below. The values shown are typical. The associated table lists the typical and guaranteed distances for selected bar code densities. The minimum element width (or "symbol density") is the width in mils of the narrowest element (bar or space) in the symbol. The maximum usable length of a symbol at any given range is shown below.
| Symbol Density | Typical | Guaranteed |
| (in.) | (mm) | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum |
| (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) |
| 0.010 | 0.254 | 11 | 27.94 | 24 | 60.968 | 12 | 30.48 | 18 | 45.72 |
0.015 | 0.381 | 7.5 | 19.05 | 39 | 99.06 | 9 | 22.86 | 34 | 86.36 |
0.020 | 0.508 | 7.5 | 19.05 | 48 | 121.92 | 9 | 22.96 | 39 | 99.06 |
0.040 | 1.01 | 10 | 25.40 | 90 | 228.60 | 10 | 25.40 | 80 | 203.20 |
0.055 | 1.40 | 10 | 25.40 | 120 | 304.80 | 10 | 25.40 | 90 | 228.60 |
0.070 | 1.79 | 48 | 121.92 | 200 | 508.00 | 70 | 177.80 | 162 | 411.48 |
0.100 | 2.54 | 60 | 152.40 | 240 | 609.60 | 84 | 213.36 | 210 | 533.40 |
Advanced Long Range Laser
The Apex PDT equipped with the Advanced Long Range Laser decodes the symbols as shown below. The values shown are typical. The associated table lists the typical and guaranteed distances for selected bar code densities. The minimum element width (or "symbol density") is the width in mils of the narrowest element (bar or space) in the symbol. The maximum usable length of a symbol at any given range is shown below.
| Symbol Density | Typical | Guaranteed |
| (in.) | (mm) | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum |
| (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) |
| 0.013 | 0.330 | 19 | 48.26 | 39 | 99.06 | 29 | 73.66 | N/A |
0.015 | 0.381 | 20 | 50.80 | 50 | 127.00 | 24 | 60.96 | 45 | 114.3 |
0.030 | 0.762 | 33 | 83.82 | 98 | 248.92 | 42 | 106.68 | 90 | 228.6 |
0.055 | 1.40 | 27 | 65.58 | 115 | 276.86 | N/A | 101 | 256.5 |
0.070 | 1.79 | 114 | 289.56 | 250 | 635.00 | N/A | 230 | 584.2 |
0.100 | 2.54 | 125 | 317.50 | 360 | 914.40 | N/A | 324 | 822.9 |
Very High Density Laser
The Apex PDT equipped with the Very High Density Laser decodes the symbols as shown below. The values shown are typical. The associated table lists the typical and guaranteed distances for selected bar code densities. The minimum element width (or "symbol density") is the width in mils of the narrowest element (bar or space) in the symbol. The maximum usable length of a symbol at any given range is shown below.
| Symbol Density | Typical | Guaranteed |
| (in.) | (mm) | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum |
| (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) | (in.) | (cm) |
| 0.002 | 0.0051 | 1.9 | 4.82 | 2.5 | 6.35 | N/A | N/A |
0.0025 | 0.063 | 1.7 | 4.32 | 3.3 | 8.38 | 2.25 | 5.71 | 2.75 | 6.98 |
0.003 | 0.076 | 1.7 | 4.32 | 4.5 | 11.43 | 2.00 | 5.71 | 3.6 | 9.14 |
0.004 | 0.127 | 1.7 | 4.32 | 6.5 | 16.51 | 2.00 | 5.08 | 5.0 | 12.7 |
0.005 | 0.127 | 1.7 | 4.32 | 7.0 | 17.78 | 2.00 | 5.08 | 5.0 | 12.7 |
0.0075 | 0.191 | 1.5 | 3.81 | 7.5 | 19.05 | 2.00 | 5.08 | 5.6 | 14.22 |
100 % UPC | 2.5 | 6.35 | 8.5 | 21.59 | 2.75 | 6.98 | 6.9 | 17.53 |
