Pip-Boy 3000

The Pip-Boy 3000 is an arm-mounted electronic device manufactured by RobCo Industries in the mid-21st century and is one of several Pip-Boy models that were issued as standard to Vault-Tec Vaults. The Pip-Boy 3000A is the first series of the 3000 model, and is one of the oldest models. This is the variant the Lone Wanderer receives on his 10th birthday from the Overseer. Later series improved upon the functionality and appearance of the model. However, in the opinion of some technicians, the A series overall is very reliable.

The purpose and function of the Pip-Boy 3000, akin to its predecessors, is that of a Personal Information Processor. In essence, it is designed to manage the user's condition and status, allow for the storage and accessing of holotapes and notes collected, as well as monitoring weapons status and ammunition if applicable. If required, the Pip-Boy can also function as a GPS, displaying a map of the user's surroundings (in both Local mode, displaying the immediate area around the user, such as accessible doors, and World Map mode, displaying a wide area). The map function also stores visited locations, as well as allowing for a guidance marker to be placed on the map for the user's convenience. If there are nearby radio stations, the Pip-Boy is able to play the station, regardless of the distance (though there may be static at long distances) as well as saving the frequency for later access. The Pip-Boy is attached to the user's left arm, along with a specialized fingerless glove that goes over the left hand, with a dial on the backhand. This glove's function is unknown, but may serve as a sensor for the Pip-Boys health monitor or a system related to V.A.T.S.

Fallout 3 is ambiguous as to the subject of whether the 3000-series Pip-Boy can be removed or not. While Stanley Armstrong mentions that biometric seals prevent it from being removed and Gary 23 in the Outcast Outpost had his arm cut off, because he couldn't part with it, the game nevertheless indicates that removing it is trivial, as the Lone Wanderer and indeed, any PIP-Boy wearing NPC can easily change their apparel and slide sleeves underneath it with ease.

The use of the word "Biometric" would imply that only the owner of the Pip-Boy can remove it.

History
The Pip-Boy 3000A (the model the player is equipped with, though it is indicated there are other models, with A being one of the oldest) has been programmed by Pip-Boy developers with numerous functions which include displaying a wearer's stats, area maps, inventory, item properties, and a Geiger counter. In addition, a Pip-Boy is equipped with a radio and its screen doubles as a lamp. A user can set their color preference for the display. The four colors available are Amber, Blue, Green, and White.

Later, on that same day, this message is broadcast through the Vault radio: "Remember - your Pip-Boy is not a toy. Proper cleaning and maintenance will ensure its operation for this and future generations."

Stats Tab

 * Status
 * Displays the user's Condition, Radiation Levels and any Effects that are currently active.
 * CND - Status of limbs, and enables directional application of Stimpaks to crippled areas or to the body as a whole.
 * RAD - Precise reading of user's radiation level using internal Geiger Counter and options to administer Rad-X and Rad Away as necessary.
 * EFF - Displays effects of currently equipped clothing, radiation level, chemicals the user has ingested, the well rested function, any addictions the user may have and any crippled limbs.
 * S.P.E.C.I.A.L
 * Displays the user's S.P.E.C.I.A.L information as well as indicating positive or negative effects on their levels.
 * Skills
 * Displays the user's skill levels as well as indicating positive or negative effects on them.
 * Perks
 * Displays a comprehensive list of the user's perks.
 * General
 * Gives a rough indication of the user's Karma level and gives various interesting pieces of information about the user and their actions. See General Stats.

Items Tab

 * Weapons
 * Gives a readout of the stats of all weapons that the user is carrying on their person and aids in repairing of them.
 * Apparel
 * Gives a readout of the stats of clothing the user is carrying and, similar to weapons, aids in their repair.
 * Aid
 * Shows the stats of any food or medical items the user is carrying.
 * Misc
 * Shows any items that do not fall into any of the above categories.
 * Ammo
 * Gives details on the types and amounts of ammunition that the user is carrying.

Extra Information

 * Weight
 * Show how much weight the user is carrying/the maximum that the user should be carrying at any time
 * HP
 * How many Hit Points the user has/the full Hit Points the user has
 * AP
 * How many Action Points the user has/the full Action Points the user has
 * XP
 * How many Experience Points the user has to level up
 * Bottle caps
 * How many Bottle caps the user has

Data Tab

 * Local Map
 * Shows a detailed map of the user's local area.
 * World Map
 * Shows a complete map of the area the user is residing in, allowing new locations to be automatically added when discovered. It also features a quest-linked map marker which appears on the Pip-Boy HUD as a large, solid arrow and guides you to your current quest destination. There is also a secondary, user-selectable marker that can be positioned anywhere on the map and provides the same real-time guidance. This marker appears on the Pip-Boy HUD as a large, unfilled arrow.
 * Quests
 * Shows any quests the user has been given as well as a record of those completed. Can also link an active quest to the Local and Global maps.
 * Notes
 * A record of notes that the user has obtained and allows playback of holotapes.
 * Radio
 * A built in radio receiver that can tune into local radio stations.

Pip-Boy light
The display of the Pip-Boy 3000 can be set to an overbright mode, and used to illuminate an area immediately around the user, acting as a makeshift light in darkened areas. The user's color preference will not affect the color of the light, and even though the display is located on the PC's arm, and is usually facing away from the player while not in use, it still provides 360 degree, three-dimensional lighting.

To activate the Pip-Boy Light, hold down the Pip-Boy access button. The default Pip-Boy access buttons are  for PC, O for PS3, and B for Xbox. The Pip-Boy light can be deactivated the same way.

Note that the Pip-Boy light understandably makes you easier to detect while sneaking, even in broad daylight and with a Stealth Boy active or while wearing the Chinese Stealth Suit.

Bugs

 * Sometimes when you are entering the Operation Anchorage simulation, the date on your pip-boy will be 01.01.01. And, when you leave the simulation it will still show that date.
 * When viewing the player in Third Person, the Pip-Boy 3000 glows green. It has been known to stay glowing as you bring it up to your face, rendering it almost impossible to read it. Usually, you can just exit the menu and turn it off for it to work, if not restarting the game. The easiest way of removing the green light is to turn on your pipboy light which usually gets rid off the green light if not enter a house and load the autosave, at which point the green light should be gone. This glitch occurs when the world model for the Pip-Boy with the light on glitches and it also used as the one the player sees - so the light is on and right in the players eyes.(Confirmed on Xbox 360,PS3, and PC)
 * When the player attempts to use the pip-boy it will clip through your face causing it to be unreadable. Usually fixed by exiting and re-entering the pip-boy.
 * There is a bug where the top of the Pip-Boy screen is cut off. This may be due to using the Chinese Stealth Armor. (confirmed Xbox 360, PS3)
 * There is a bug where Pip-Boy stays glowing orange like you are on fire (from flamer, gas leak) even when not on fire. This sometimes happens when you enter a loading area while on fire. (confirmed on all platforms)
 * When viewing the maps section of the pip-boy and then pausing for a period of time the Background will disappear, easily fixed by lowing and raising it again. (confirmed Xbox 360)

Behind the scenes
It would appear that at one time or another, the PipBoy 3000 was going to have a tunable radio, (possibly for hidden radio stations in certain locations) a far more GPS-like map feature and a more digital font judging by concept art found in the textures archive under interfaces/shared. (shown right)

Video
