A
head up display system for a vehicle that includes a compact image source for projecting an image. The compact image source may be foldable up toward or into a
cockpit ceiling of the vehicle, be positioned within a
dashboard of the vehicle, or located at another suitable position. A combiner reflects the projected image with
optical power toward an observer for observation. The combiner is positioned so that the observer, in a
line of sight, may see a visual exterior view of an outside scene through the combiner and the projected image in the combiner. In a preferred embodiment, the image source includes an illumination
system that includes a high power
light emitting diode (LED) array
assembly. A
Fresnel lens array is operatively associated with the
LED array assembly for receiving light produced by the LED and providing a nearly
collimated light output. A
spatial light modulator receives the nearly
collimated light output. The preferred combiner is a
meniscus combiner that includes a
meniscus lens; a multi-layer dichroic
coating formed on a first surface of the
meniscus lens; and, an anti-reflection
coating formed on a second, opposite surface of the meniscus lens. The meniscus combiner preferably utilizes a non-symmetric aspheric meniscus lens.