Pip-Boy

The RobCo Pip-Boy (PIP stands for Personal Information Processor) is an electronic device manufactured by RobCo Industries, using ultra-modern super-deluxe resolution graphics, which coupled with its capability to store large amounts of information and transfer data to and from holodisks and from data tubes make it the obvious choice for the wandering explorer, the out-on-his-own newbie or the all-around survivalist expert.

The Pip-Boys were standard equipment issued to all Vault-Tec Vaults. Some Vaults received newer models of the device, while others got older versions.

The character who shows in images which illustrate all of the characteristics of the SPECIAL character system (Perks, Traits, Stats etc.) is often incorrectly called Pipboy (even in Fallout Tactics). His real name is Vault Boy.

Pip-Boy 2000
It displays information in bright green on its black 5" x 3" screen. It can record sound and video footage for later playback. It uses a simple but elegant form of sonar and satellite tracking (where available, which is far from everywhere in the post-apocalyptic world) to map out areas where its user travels. Though input is slow, a user can also hand-enter and edit text messages on their Pip Boy 2000s. The original Pip-Boy 2000 was a hand-held device, though some very cumbersome models were made to be worn on the arm. These models were unofficially called Pip-Boy 2000 Plus. The Pip-Boy is locked on by a biometric lock.

Pip-Boy 3000
The 3000 model has a built-in radio and Geiger Counter. According to Stanley in Fallout 3, there are several series of Pip-Boy 3000s, each a bit different. Like the 2000 model, the Pip-Boy 3000 features a biometric lock that can only be opened by a skilled technician. (If one is not so skilled, a Bonesaw will also serve...)

The Pip-Boy button (Computer: Tab, PS3: O, Xbox 360: B) can be held down to toggle a light that illuminates the area around the user, allowing them to see better in the dark. There is a bug on the Xbox 360 and the PS3 where the Pip-Boy screen will sometimes glow solid green in first-person view (as it always does in third person when the light is active), making it impossible to see anything on it. This can normally be fixed by turning the light on your Pip-Boy ON and then OFF. (Confirmed for both PS3 and Xbox 360)

Pip-Boy lighting ordinarily keeps its state (on or off) except for one case: Going from inside to outside, in which case it always turns off (even in the deep of night). It will otherwise keep its state when going from:
 * Outside to outside (e.g., entering/exiting Megaton through the gates, or any fast travelling)
 * Interior zones to other inside zones
 * Outside to inside

Your compass shows you a number of things:
 * Any green markers (vertical lines) above the compass line mean friendlies or neutrals; any red bars mean enemies.
 * Any filled triangles below the compass line mean found/marked World Map locations; unfilled triangles are potential World-Map markers that have not yet been discovered.
 * A solid vertical marker below your compass line is your current Quest objective; an unfilled vertical marker is your personal objective (chosen by right-clicking on the map).

Pip-Boys apparently have uses besides those in the game, as they are issued to every active member of Vault 101's community. In Fallout 3, any armor worn by the Player character will have the left sleeve cut off, in order to accommodate the Pip-Boy.

Lil' Pip 3000
A miniature version of the 3000 series exists, called the Lil' Pip 3000.

Appearances
The main characters in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3 and Fallout Tactics are all equipped with Pip-Boys.

Van Buren characters such as the Prisoner, Symm, other Tibbets prisoners and Dr. Presper's party (Coleridge, Briggs, Davidson and Pierce) were also planned to be equipped with Pip-Boys.