Pip - Boy 3000 The Pip - Boy 3000 is a pre - War electronic Personal Information Processor ( PIP ) in " Fallout 3 " and " " manufactured by RobCo Industries , and acts as a database for the player character ' s personal information and inventory , as well as generating the heads - up display ( HUD ) in each respective game . Background . The player character is equipped with the Pip - Boy 3000A ; it is indicated that there are other models in the 3000 line , with A being one of the oldest . The Pip - Boy 3000A is worn on the character ' s left forearm . This multifunction device has been programmed by Pip - Boy developers to display the wearer ' s stats , area maps , inventory and item properties . It also includes a and a radio . Its screen doubles as a flashlight for fixing visibility issues in dark or obscured areas ( enabled by holding down the Pip - Boy button ) . A user can set their color preference for the display . The four colors available are amber , blue , green and white . The display color must be changed through the pause menu rather than the Pip - Boy itself . Functions ( " Fallout 3 " ) . Pip - Boy light . The display of the Pip - Boy 3000 can be set to an over - bright mode and used to illuminate an area immediately around the user , acting as a makeshift flashlight 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 person ' s arm , and is usually facing away from them 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 the < Tab > key on PC , the circle button on PS3 , and B on Xbox 360 . The Pip - Boy light can be deactivated the same way . The Pip - Boy light increases visibility while sneaking , even in broad daylight and with a Stealth Boy or Chinese stealth armor . Functions ( " Fallout : New Vegas " ) . The Pip - Boy 3000A that the Courier is given by Doc Mitchell operates in the same manner as its " Fallout 3 " counterpart . There are a few differences in the display : Pimp - Boy 3 Billion . The Pimp - Boy 3 Billion can be obtained from , the arms dealer located in Freeside at Mick & Ralph ' s . In order to get this item , the Courier must first inquire as to why the Omertas stopped buying arms from them . They can find the Omertas in the Gomorrah Casino on the New Vegas Strip . When the head boss of the Omertas is spoken to during the quest How Little We Know , he must be asked why they no longer buy arms from Mick & Ralph ' s . Get them to continue to buy arms from them and return to their shop . Even if the Omertas are killed , one can still get the Pimp - Boy 3 Billion . Mick will comment about the death of the Omertas but still gives the option to tell him they will buy from him again . He will then give the Pimp - Boy 3 Billion . One can switch back to the regular Pip - Boy by simply asking Mick to switch it back and vice versa . Glove . The Pip - Boy glove is a separate item , with a weight of 0 , a health of 100 , 000 , an armor rating of 0 , and a value of 30 . However , the item is marked as " unplayable , " and therefore cannot be removed and sold normally . It only fits over the left hand .