GPS in Dubai, UAE
 

I'm heading over to Dubai in a few weeks and wanted to get a GPS before I left the US.

I already have a tired Garmin Nuvi 650 and a T-Mobile G1 (Telenav), but would be fine with purchasing a new unit with the maps on it.

Any suggestions?

Why not just get Google maps on your G1 and use that? If you just feel like you HAVE to blow a couple hundred bucks, just write me a check. :)

At the rate they charge for data roaming?? No thanks.

Are there any local Pay as you go SIMs that have data included?

Garmin does have a Middle East map available. Not sure if it will work with your Nuvi 650 but I can't fathom why it wouldn't. (I assume the 650 has an SD slot for new maps.)

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=253&pID=1582

The cars I have been provided with in Dubai have all had Sat Nav installed. They have also come with a driver, so I've never really had to use it.

However, because new roads, new buildings and new subdivisions have literally been popping up out of nowhere every six months, I'm not sure how useful a Sat Nav is in Dubai

Another thing to consider is that when people give you an address in Dubai, it's usually something like Diagonally behind the Al Maktoum hospital and adjacent to the annexe of the SAS Radisson. I haven't found a Sat Nav that accepts addresses like that!

Personally, I'd just get a map, memorize the directions and name of the main roads and throw yourself into the city.

There are no PAYG SIMs with data included, no, but you can get data bundles for them.

They aren't cheap. You'd need to buy the SIM first, for about 50-75 AED.

Du's prices:
Etisalat:

They're usually not much use for getting to individual buildings unless you can find the street address (or the location is included in the PoI set), but I use mine frequently when heading to other Emirates.

Garmin has maps for Windows Mobile that are on the card. Nokia's service can also download maps to a Nokia handset. Moreover, they will sell you GPS for small time frames.

The prior poster is correct about the maps and Dubai. Treat the maps as advisory. Things change there too quickly for the maps to be entirely accurate.