A head mounted display with improved high transmission see-through view of the surrounding environment with an overlaid high contrast displayed image includes upper optics with a first optical axis including an emissive image source that provides image light comprised of one or more narrow spectral bands of light, one or more lenses, a stray light trap and non-polarized lower optics with a second optical axis including a planar beam splitter angled relative to the first and second optical axes and a curved partially reflective mirror, wherein one or more of the reflective surfaces are treated to reflect a majority of incident light within the one or more narrow spectral bands and transmit a majority of incident visible light from the surrounding environment.
