Welcome from VA!

If you are a cigar-fanatic, you may just want to skip the "starter" humidor and go for a nice big cooler. You can get a decent size cooler for the same price as a nice disply humidor, but you decide.

The beads can support the humidification system in the humidor you buy, OR you can just chuck that humidification system and the beads can do all the work. IT's really up to you. The beads will be the most efficient form of humidification you can have. I've stopped using the humidification system that came with my humidor, once I've started using the beads.

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=14

I get my beads from there. Good luck!

Andrew