Active Sonar

Description: Sensor that detects animals with sound waves. Press L3 button to emit waves. Consumes battery power while used.

Uses: Help Snake hunt with the sonar. It can detect stationary objects (including guards) as well. It’s not quiet, though, so be careful using around enemies if you’re trying to remain hidden.

Anti-Personnel Sensor

Description: Vibrates when detecting lifeforms. Equip to use. Consumes battery during use. All other vibrations will be off when activated.

Uses: Turn on when you aren’t sure of guards’ positions. Your controller will vibrate if there’s a guard (or animal) nearby.

Binoculars

Description: Military binoculars allowing long-range reconnaissance. Zoom in with triangle button. Zoom out with square button.

Uses: Pinpoint guard locations using the binoculars. You can remain safe at long-range while observing their location and patrol pattern.

Bug Juice

Description: A bug repellant. Keeps away hornets and leeches while lasting. Apply with circle button in window.

Uses: Keeps off bugs and leeches.

Camera

Description: Press circle to take photos. Zoom in with triangle button. Zoom out with square button.

Uses: Snap photos of your favorite characters!

Cigar

Description: Highly addictive and hazardous to your health.

Uses: Burns off leeches.

Crocodile Cap

Description: Equip to wear.

Uses: Disguise yourself as a crocodile to get past guards near water, specifically through Ponizovje South.

Directional Mic

Description: A high-performance directional microphone. Picks up sound in the direction it is pointed. Can be used to pick up the footsteps of distance enemies and other sounds normally too faint to hear.

Uses: Use the directional mic to pinpoint the position and movement of animals or guards. You can also use the mic to assist during the battle against The End or even The Fury to help determine their position so you can plan your next move.

Fake Death Pill

Description: Espionage pill developed by the CIA. Can fake death temporarily. Use with circle button in window.

Uses: Swallow one to fake death. Use if there’s no cover and you spot a guard on the way. When he leaves, use a revival pill and sneak up on the guard. You can also use the fake death pill as a means of loading a saved game quickly!

Life Medicine

Description: Developed by the U.S.S.R. Restores life. Press circle button in window to use.

Uses: Replenishes some of Snake’s health but doesn’t cure significant wounds. You must open the cure menu to fix cuts, broken bones, burns, or other injuries.

Mine Detector

Description: Makes sound upon detection of claymores on the ground. Equip to use. Consumes battery while used.

Uses: Equip to detect the presence of claymore mines. If you have the thermal goggles, use those instead.

Motion Detector

Description: Sensor that detects an object’s motion. Does not detect stationary objects. Consumes battery power while used.

Uses: Helps pinpoint the location of patrolling guards. Use the information to plan your route either to sneak up on the guard or avoid the guard completely.

Night Vision Goggles

Description: Electronically amplifies weak dim light for visualization. Allows one to see in the dark. Consumes battery while used.

Uses: Equip the night vision goggles to help Snake navigate a dark area, such as the caverns. Don’t look at bright lights, though!

Revival Pill

Description: Espionage pill developed by the CIA. Can wake up from fake death. Use with circle button in window.

Uses: Essentially reverses the effects of the fake death pill. Complete the Sorrow boss battle by using the revival pill after the Sorrow "kills" Snake.

Thermal Goggles

Description: Visualizes heat source distribution. Allows one to see in the dark. Consumes battery while used.

Uses: The thermal goggles are arguably the most useful piece of equipment in the game. Equip the thermal goggles to see claymore mines, breaks in electrified fences, guard locations and patrols, and to see animals and plants in dense forest environments.