is there no free gps software on the n810 that gives you directions without a internet connection?

yes.

Navit will do that. It's based on vector maps (like a regular standalone GPS), so can do routing, etc. As I understand it, you can use commercial map products (if you have them) or the vector-based map product from OpenStreetMaps (which is free). The plus side of the latter is that you can join in the project and take part in improving the map in your area by correcting streets, adding POIs, etc.

Once you've downloaded the map image file, you do not need an internet connection to use the GPS, and you can do re-routing, etc as you outlined in your previous message.

awesome man!! totally awesome!!! i'm sold! ahha

so why doesn't maemo mapper do that?

...because maemo mapper uses raster based maps -- each tile within the map is just an image of a particular area at a specific coordinate; there is no concept of roads, towns, etc.. just an image.

In a vector-based system (as most "mapping GPS units" would utilize), each element (street, city, shopping mall, highway, etc.) is defined by a set of coordinates (or, often, several sets of coordinates) individually within the map, and rendered (or drawn) on the screen... so the unit "knows" that the entity defined by a given set of points between an area called "Tampa" and an area called "Orlando" on the unit's current view is a limited access, multi-lane highway called "I-4". If that entity is properly defined, it also "knows" that portions of the road, near the area called Orlando, are toll access...

Advantage of using the Nokia maps is that you can selectively download the entire state/province/country worth of maps in one go instead of selecting a point on the map and then picking the radius you want to download for.

Additionally, you can download the Nokia maps from your computer (fast) and then load them on tablet.

That is, of course, if the Nokia Maps could be imported into Maemo Mapper format.

There are lots of choices in the open source world including purchasing commersial stuff. Each has their own advantage.