A head mounted display (HMD) system includes a number of separately and uniquely packaged components. A first component is a headset that incorporates at least a microphone input and speaker output devices into headset housing apparatus designed to be supported about the user's head or face. A microdisplay element is located in an optical pod at the end of an adjustable boom as part of the headset. Additional components, including electronic circuits, such as a microcomputer, one or more wired and wireless interfaces, associated memory or storage devices, auxiliary device mounts and the like are packaged in the headset or as a pager sized gateway device having a belt clip.