the gel is charged with 50/50 solution, so it is designed to keep your cigars at 70% humidity. This is what is in a Drymistat tube.
the beads are a silica gel based product. the beads are infused with a salt solution. the manufacturers vary the amount of salt to dial the beads into a certain humidity level.
pros and cons - the gel with the 50/50 solution can only keep your cigars at 70%. Beads can be had in 60,65, and 70%. the only pro that i can see for the gel is that it has a very large water capacity. so if you had a leaky humidor, and keep your cigars at 70%, the gel might work a little better.
but for most applications, the beads are the way to go.
