I have been using the 2008 editions of the Oman and UAE Off-Road guides for the past three years. They have been essential in planning road trips and in finding my way around these two lovely countries. Whether you prefer the mountains, the deserts, or the beaches, these books will help get you there. The only thing they won't do is help you navigate through cities. For that you'll need the appropriate city guides.
The color maps are clear and readable and include GPS coordinates to help you find your way through landscapes with few man-made markers. The quality of paper and printing is similar to what you'd find in fashion magazines. Perhaps the only quibble I have is with the binding. The glue in the Oman guide has proven unreliable and as a result I now have several pages fixed with tape to keep them from spilling out into the car floor. The spiral binding on the UAE guide is better suited for this type of book, which also features a back cover flap that flips over to protect the section tabs and that can be used as a bookmark.
Almost since I started using them, I have noticed discrepancies between the maps and reality, though this is no fault of the publisher, only a reflection of how things change. Just recently we went up into the mountains in the UAE and followed a trail that in the book showed nothing of note. We found a new public park, completely empty and unused, that was our campground for the night. I think next year I may have to upgrade to the newest edition.
If you plan to do much exploring, these books are essential and well worth the price. I don't know if they've ever thought of it, but a cool idea for future editions would be to include a CD-ROM with GPS coordinates and routes that could be copied to your car navigation system.
#