So far, the only gel I have come across that is good for your locks is the locking gel from dreadlockshampoo.com. Just about everything that Knotty Boy sells was never originally designed for locks. It was just repackaged for them. So I'd stay away from their locking gel too.
As for the bands. TAKE THEM OUT. Rubber bands do only harm to your locks. They are elastic. That means that no matter how loosely you put them on, they constrict. This causes weak spots on your locks and can pinch them until they snap off. Bands also restrict all movement. You hair needs to move in order to knot and tangle. If you tie them down and hold them there, no hair gets out and move around creating knots. So they actually prevent locking. When you do finally decide to take them out, they tend to get so tangled with loose hairs that that they just rip them out with the band. This makes your roots weaker, locks thinner, and untangles knots. If you leave them in for extended periods of time, they can get lost in your lock and start to rot there. This causes mold and mildew to grow inside of your hair.
If you feel like you can not live without bands, ONLY put them in when you wash. Then, even before they dry, take the bands out. And even then, only put them on the very tips of your locks. Don't worry about the roots. The roots should always be in a constant state of tangle with each other. This protects your scalp from damage. When your roots and the body of your lock tangle together, just rip them apart.
If you really want to keep your locks separated, beads are a much better call