With the n900 is there a way to use some type of maps program offline? I dont have a data paln yet on tmovile but I would like a offline maps where if a custoemr calls and gives me there address I can get directions to from a starting point anyway to do this offline without internet? Thanks

Who doesn't want this? But not yet possible as the Nokia Map Loader and Nokia Map updater PC Applications are not yet N900 compatible. Don't expect much as there hasn't been much improvements with regards to the OVI Maps.

I was able to download and install the map-pack via Mass-Storage mode. It's easy. I'll see if I can find the instructions.

But that doesn't help you type in addresses because for some reason Ovi Maps won't search without a data connection or wifi, even if you download the maps.

According to this link, Map Loader apparently works on the N900 now.

Okay, here are the instructions I followed on my N900. But if the map loader works that may be better. I wouldn't know. This worked just fine.

But the way I did it, I don't get satellite maps or terrain maps.

For OVI maps no PC map loader is required. You can simply download like all of Europe and copy it on the N900
and you are in business. The only annoying "feature" remaining, is that after starting the application you about three times asked for internet connection.
Just google a little (sorry dont have the URL at hand)

I've copied the downloaded map files rewriting the city folders. And it works for browsing but of course you cannot search. Direction works but only if you set by hand your destination. Still better than nothing... have fun.
Link to the maps file is this one,
http://handphone-solution.blogspot.com/2009/07/direct-download-for-ovi-maps-30-without.html
and you will find better instruction on this blog:
http://www.maemopeople.org/index.php...ut_a_network_c

enjoy

I copied map data into mass storage and browsing the maps offline works fine. What doesn't work is search.

I hoped that maybe the version of Maps with PR1.2 would allow offline search. No such luck. Come on Nokia, it can't be difficult to implement, surely?

Does anyone know whether, if the relevant maps are loaded, the app actually *uses* the data connection for searches? It seems to do them very quickly which suggests not.

check out this bug as well - https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=9594

is there a way to search the map offline?

No.

Check out the bug in the post above too - it's even worse than just this; simply using the Maps application could leave you open to expensive roaming charges that you might not know about till you got home and saw the bill.

Mapper should be usable offline. I say "should" because I've not had as much luck using it offline as I did with Maemo Mapper, its
precessor on the N810.