So here's the thing. The Wand Company has created a couple of Upgrade Modules for the PipBoy 2000 kit. Some of them are really cool, some of them I think I can do better. Here's the outline of my plan on how to make this kit a fully functional Pip-Boy!

Screen Module: Illuminated Display PanelThere's a screen module upgrade that lights up the screen and it's static decal, and has the light crap out now and then, which you can 'fix' by whacking/tapping/slapping the PipBoy like you were Butcher Pete! And I got to say, that's a pretty cool upgrade, but for me not really worth the 40 bucks, when a BlackBerry Passport would make it even more real!

My plan with this module:

1. Install BlackBerry Passport in the housing.
   1. (Optional) Create a new harness/backplate for the Blackberry to fit snugly. I got a couple of 3D printers at my disposal at varying degrees of 'ready for print' (I hope), so that might work out nice.
   2. If that fails: Use some PLA plate and Acetone hobby glue to build a harness from that.
   3. If that fails: Hot glue the living bajeezus out of that thing!
2. Add fresnel lens for CRT-effect.
3. Figure out if BBP can charge wirelessly still.
4. Figure out if BBP can connect with Fallout 4 and/or other modules.

But, turn this record over, you ain't heard nothing yet!
(Read More for the rest of the modules)

FM Radio Module

There's also the Radio Upgrade Module, which adds a bona fide FM radio into your PipBoy, and peppers the sound waves of your local radio station with some authentic Fallout chatter at the push of a button. It also adds some much-needed LEDs that flicker in the radio tubes. Now that's immersive! The module is really well-built. Which I why I bought that module, as it beats having me solder in LED's and speakers for the heck of it. Sure Bluetooth speakers are cool, but this is FM-Radio man!

My plan with the radio module:
Stick the store-bought one in there! YourGeekFix did mention there are some AAA-to-USB adapters that might solve having to open up the case to replace the batteries that might be worth taking a look at:

The cord is veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery long though...

Holotape Cassette ModuleThe holotape cassette module has a nice slot for holotapes that, in the in-game universe contain all sorts of programs that can be run on the PipBoy and other various terminals. Bethesda also sells these tapes as separate kits, so I bought a pair of them. Just in case I mess the original up, but also to see if I could make them actually boot certain programs. The module also comes with what was supposed to be a couple of rotary counters, but those are in fact decals you can stick in those recesses.

My plan with this module:

1. Make the holotapes work by checking if the BBP has NFC capabilities
   1. If yes: try and see if it can read a tag from the distance the holotape is located.
   2. If not: try and see if I can wire one of those NFC-reader breakout boards up towards the Rad Module.
2. Replace the decals with actual functional counters
   1. I purchased some rotary counters on AliExpress, and just got them in hand today.
      They seem rather complicated and finicky to set up, what with the size required for the Geneva gears and other mechanics. This would be the coolest thing to have, but I have a hard time figuring out how to do the date rollover and spacing and whatnot in that small of a space. They would most likely be static rollers, which goes against the "Functional".
   2. So what if... You got a hold of some teeny tiny OLED screens from The Institute (or AliExpress)?
      I wonder if I could finagle those screens behind the recesses of the counters and create fake rolling counters? I could hook them up to a source with a Real Time Clock and have the date and time actually be... actual! I haven't looked at what kind of real-estate I have in this module, but it seems to me to be the fanciest option. Perhaps add some easter-eggs while I am at it.
      Disclaimer: I have done some software work in the past, but I have no idea where and how I will start to drive these screens and/or the Arduino-based modules I have now will drive these properly, let alone how I create the animations for this. Live and learn I guess!
      

Last but not least... The Raddest of the Modules....!

The Rad ModuleThis module is (as far as I know, haven't built the thing yet) an empty shell with some wires screwed to it, some faux buttons and a decal on it. The buttons are supposed to switch the PipBoy's screen to different menus, and the Rad-Meter would let you know how far away you are from growing a third arm.

My plan with this module:

1. An actual Rad-meter/Geiger counter would be cool, but would (hopefully) have limited use, and be pretty bulky. Pass for now, until someone else figures this one out.
2. It seems like a pretty chunky, empty module, so I think it will fit an Artemis Nano board, a LiPo battery and (hopefully) an X27 dial motor that I could use to drive a real dial. I would then hook up the Artemis Nano with an environmental sensor, EMF meter, VOC meter or whatever (maybe use the buttons to switch?) so that we can have the dial move up and down. I would also attach a small speaker to have it make the clicking sounds... I guess.

So there's that! I just wrapped up the construction part of a rather tedious Gundam Model kit today, the Gundam Base Limited Edition MG Sazabi, along with both Photo-Etch and Metal Upgrade kits:That was a pretty rough build with all the miniature metal screws, flimsy photo-etch sheets and glue that eats away the special coating, or just won't stick...
I still have to put on the waterslide decals on the kit, but at least I can clear my workbench and make room for the PipBoy kit now! Hopefully this PipBoy project of mine hold some chunkier parts that I can get my mitts on!

Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions, suggestions or other ions that you'd like to give me regarding this project.

Stay safe!