  We present the design of a Velocity Map Imaging apparatus tailored to the
demands of high-resolution crossed molecular beam experiments employing Stark
or Zeeman decelerators. The key requirements for these experiments consist of
the combination of a high relative velocity resolution for large ionization
volumes and a broad range of relatively low lab-frame velocities. The SIMION
software package was employed to systematically optimize the electrode
geometries and electrical configuration. The final design consists of a stack
of 16 tubular electrodes, electrically connected with resistors, which is
divided into three electric field regions. The resulting apparatus allows for
an inherent velocity blurring of less than 1.1 m/s for NO$^+$ ions originating
from a 3x3x3 mm ionization volume, which is negligible in a typical crossed
beam experiment. The design was recently employed in several state of the art
crossed-beam experiments, allowing the observation of fine details in the
velocity distributions of the scattered molecules.
