A method and apparatus for manipulating an aiming light of a reader to indicate the field-of-view (FOV) of an imager within the reader includes a window and an optical element. The FOV of the imager extends through the window. The optical element receives the aiming light from an aiming assembly and redirect the aiming light such that the central axis of the aiming light exiting the optical element is non-coaxial with the central aiming axis of the aiming assembly at the entry of the optical element. The optical element may be configured to project an image on a target that indicates the boundary of the FOV or project an image on the target that indicates the center of the FOV.