Yes, transducers aren't cheap any more.

Dean Markley is the way to go. I've had one of their soundhole pickups for 23 years and it still works great, though the cord is showing a bit of wear. My brother also uses one.

Be aware that they are NOT feedback free, so some PA adjustment will be required. The Markley is the most simple, non-maring, pickup you can use. Great solution for the sometimes "electric"/acoustic player.

I have a Dean Markley acoustic sound-hole pickup and I wasn't satisfied with it at all. It didn't put out enough volume. I had to turn the amp up to an ungoldy volume just to hear anything above what the volume the guitar was already producing without the pickup. Maybe I was doing something wrong. I still have it so if there is a possibility that I am doing something wrong, someone speak up.
I also found the cable to be extremely annoying which could be overcome by drilling a hole in my guitar and running through there I suppose. However, I am not keen on drilling holes in my guitars.

You could have a bad one. I always had to turn mine down as did my brother. Kind of hard to use incorrectly, except for putting it in upside down, but that's obvious. As for the cord? I always draped it back through my strap and it was fine. Not enough volume? Strings can effect that. Since it's more like an electric pickup, nylon strings, pure nickle and some combinations you find on acoustic strings, that you don't find on electrics, can severely lower the output.

This is why I generally don't recommend individual solutions. There are SO many variables in all this stuff.

evol666 - Considering Richey's post, I would suggest you try one at the store before you lay down the cash.

i have one as well and it has worked like a charm in every acoustic i have tried it in. i also have a symour duncan tube humbucking acoustic pickup. fits in the soundhole the same way as the markely. and it has a volume control right on the end of it....pretty nifty... it works very nicely as well.....

i have seen alot of guys use soundhole pickups, but i have never owned one. it sounds to me that you are getting good advice here...............................

the dean markleys seem to be the most popular in my neck of the woods.

I have a dean markley because my guild doesn't have electronics. It doesn't sound amazing or anything. I prefer an SM81 on acoustic guitars live, but I sing and play so I dont get to run around. It makes it easier on the ladies not having to look around for me.

If you are running into a PA, get a direct box. YES you can plug right in, but it's just not a good thing. You will need to crank up the gain and therefore up the noise and hiss and whatnot, and a direct box is anywhere from cheap to expensive.

Hoenstly, I suggest either going for something real nice like the taylor expression system, or buying an SM81 or similiar [maybe try a c1000s with the hypercardiod attachment?] and just not moving around so much [the windmill doesn't look as cool on the acoustic anyway]. Or if you are strapped for cash at the moment [and I suggest never buying something to "get you bye" because you could save that money for something nice and not be left with crap] is just to go rent or borrow one from someone.

DO NOT USE A CONTACT PICKUP. There's a reason they are $12.

Thanks for all of the advice, guys. I ended up at Gaytar Centre this past Saturday with my Taylor 110 in hand. I tried two different Dean Markley models and did not like either of them; not enough output. In the end I went with a Fishman Neo-D humbucker. I'll be running it through our rehearsal space's PA tonight.

Cool... Don't know what's happened to the Dean Markley pickups. Mine is still putting out a great signal and I bought it 25 years ago, so it's possible they changed the specs as many companies do.

Glad you tried them out and didn't just buy. Always hate it when I suggest something and someone goes out and just buys it on my word, (or that of some others,) without making sure it will do what THEY want. Fishman makes good stuff. Have a Prefix, (came with the guitar,) on my Carvin and it's great.

Hope it all works out for ya!