For what kind of use? A mag designed for one kind of use may be absolutely worthless for another kind of use.
For example, you can buy a horizontal vector mag with resolution of about 1 degree at Wal-Mart for 'way less than $10. It's called a "lensatic compass", and for their intended purpose they work very well. A $5,000 proton precession mag on the other hand is completely useless for that same purpose. Great for mapping geologic structure, though-- if you know what the heck you're doing.
Surveying mags (primarily for finding property markers) run from several hundred bucks up to a little over a thousand. Generally easy to use, and can be rented. However they're useless for either geologic mapping or for navigation.