The mystery of the GPS data and Vault-Tec

[pra]

There is also that hardly used local map in the Pip-Boy. There's no way to do that with satellites, and it does show postwar stuff. For this, it has to have something like radar or sonar.

 

Now you could argue: the pip-boy is constantly using radar to get an image of it's surroundings. Using that, it can figure out how much it has moved. So basically like counting steps, only more reliable.

 

However, it would still require to figure out where it is on the world map from time to time. You can actually confuse it, by using teleportation mods, or just by travelling underground (enter at V88, exit at the pharmacy). Now this is obviously an engine limitation, but you could argue that it's a limitation of the Pip-Boy technology, too. So it must be outside to figure out it's global position, and it notices if you are inside.

 

I think with that, it could be either satellites or some kind of astronomy-based positioning. Something where you need to see the sky. Not sure about surface-based towers, I suspect they would have to be rather strong and be able to punch through building walls. But maybe not through actual earth. Hm. No idea :D

 

 

As for the world map, that's 100% something pre-programmed into the pip-boy before the war. It's pre-war status heavily implies that IMO.

[steve40]

The local map could be generated using a mobile LIDAR scanner.