A method of operating an indicia reader for reading information bearing indicia (IBI) positioned in a field of view of the reader includes: transmitting a first laser light beam adapted for scanning an IBI on a target located a first distance from the indicia reader; transmitting a second laser light beam adapted for scanning an IBI on a target located a second distance greater than the first distance from the indicia reader; activating at least one of the first and second laser light beams; scanning at least one of the laser light beams with a flat unitary scan mirror to generate at least one of a first laser light beam pattern and a second laser light beam pattern; directing light reflected from the target from either the first or second laser light beams patterns through a common receive path; the common receive path including being reflected with the flat unitary scan mirror onto a focusing mirror; the focusing mirror directing reflected light along a directed reflected light path; the directed reflected light path including an optical filter outputting directed reflected light; converting the directed reflected light into an output signal with a photodetector; decoding IBI information derived from the output signal, wherein the operating steps are completed by devices supported in a hand held indicia reader housing and wherein an operator selectively activates the first laser light beam and/or the second laser light beam with a single action trigger.