laser pointer

got one of these for xmas, and after using it for just a little while, the beam starts to get pretty weak. itll come back if you stop using it for awhile and then try again, but it still kinda sucks. could this be the batteries or anything else i could possible fix/replace, or is it likely just a peice of crap

for a cool 500 dollars and some shopping online you can pick up hand held lasers that will burn through things

I would have one except for the 500 dollar part.  Best part is the site makes you agree to a thing that is like "I will not shine these at aircraft" and shit