Velocity map ion imaging using Doppler-free 2+1 multi-photon ionization at lambda = 243.1 nm has been applied to monitor the nascent H atoms from the predissociation of HCO ((A) over tilde (2) A '') in the (0, 0, 10(1)) vibrational state. Employing two balanced, counterpropagating circularly (sigma(+) and sigma-) polarized probe beams, complete velocity map images were accumulated with every laser shot without having to scan the probe (w)avelength over the strongly Doppler-broadened line profile. The H-CO bond dissociation energy, CO internal energy distribution, and anisotropy parameter are presented and compared with literature data. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.