Tweakie,
The problem is that one can't hear what the motors sound like or have a visual on the movement. Figure that if it can move in one direction
without binding and skipping steps one would assume it can reverse. At 1/2" it's not loosing steps it is "skipping"...play on words but a big difference between the two.
If the steps per unit are correct, a reasonable velocity & acceleration along with proper pulse duration, then after a move the backlash would be rather consistant and thus any
loss in position greater than the backlash becomes a mechanical issue............at least in general. Of course other assumptions are made in the above ........ you know how it goes.

RICH