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Recent reviews for this item: OldmanYoung, May 30, 2009 I have been urging to do a review on the Middle
East 2010 maps from Garmin, and having an
opportunity here, i am grabbing it by the jewels.
I live in UAE. And i am pathetic with roads. And
hence, my decision to buy a GPS (Garmin Nuvi
680). I was very eager to try out the ME 2010
maps and now that i have for a few days, here is
my verdict:
Basically, the ME 2010 maps should more than
cover your basic GPS needs. I don't know how good
are the maps for other Middle East regions, but i
am here specifically talking about UAE (Dubai-
Shj). There are tons and tons of landmarks,
popular places, buildings, petrol stations,
centers, parks, etc. You should be able to find
most places that you would need to go. Or you
could just tag to a place nearby to your
destination.
Do not expect the maps to be 100% accurate. If
you are living in Dubai, you know that even a map
made yesterday can become old in the next.
Digging up the place is a hobby of the government
and no map provider can stay up-to-date with the
mess. Today, i went near a place where the metro
track constructions were going on. I routed to my
home and it suggested a straight road ahead.
When, in fact, that road was dug up in the
construction process. But no matter, i just took
a blind turn, and the GPS quickly calculated an
alternate route and safely reached me to my home.
Since, roads and streets are properly named in
the US and ARE used to learn directions this
however, does not apply to UAE. People learn
directions by remembering landmarks or popular
places. Not street or road names. So when the map
suggests you to take a certain road or a certain
street or an exit, you will go like “Whaa???
Where?!”. Since we are so accustomed to our
style of road directions, the ‘proper’ way will
seem a little odd. But no matter, as long as you
follow the on-screen indicator, you should be
just fine. Also, it will educate you on the
proper way of learning directions. The street
names are pretty accurate, many a times I have
looked up to spot a street sign board after being
prompted by the GPS, and what do ya know, it was
right there somewhere. In fact, I did not know
what the street below my house was called till
the GPS prompted me to look it up. Ha!
A minor annoyance is the way street names are
pronounced. For example, Al Khaleej Road will be
pronounced as “Alabama Khaleej Road”. Every ‘Al’
in a street name or road will be replaced with
“Alabama”. It will leave you in confusion more
often than not. More so because, since the voice
is computer generated, and not spoken by a native
person, most of the Arabic sounding names are
weirdly pronounced and with “Alabama” tagging
along, it creates a mayhem of confusion. But, as
I said, as long as you follow on-screen
indicators, you will be just fine.
What else? Oh, yes! Many times I was prompted to
keep left on certain-certain road, while I knew I
had to go right and that was also shown on the
screen. Or maybe it was referring to on-coming
road? I am not too sure.
So, in the end, the ME 2010 maps are definitely
worth it. Al most all of the places are covered.
If you are a tourist, it will be perfect for you.
And if you cannot find a location while routing
to your destination, people in the UAE aren’t so
cold hearted to not help you out. If you have
lived in the UAE, and are still pathetic at
remembering roads, just like me, then also it
will be perfect for you. Equipped with the
general idea about the areas, and the GPS system,
you will be an unstoppable force.
