+1 for the newbie sampler. While buying a box of something you like is great, that box will fill your humidor to about 75% capacity. The newbie sampler will give you a nice selection of different smokes so you can find a bunch of different ones you like. Then you can buy some 5 or 6 packs of the ones you like and have a varied selection.

As for the gauge, forget the gauge that came with the humidor. Mine was out by 20% out of the box. They're garbage. Get a digital and some beads and forget it. Add the distilled water to the beads and fill the box up with cigars. You won't do your cigars any harm by putting them in the box "unseasoned". You will just need to add water to the beads more frequently as the wood in the box and your cigars soak up the humidity. Once it stabilizes, you won't need to add water to the beads as frequently.

Welcome to the forum.

Mark