Hi,
the main reason we use micro-stepping is smoothness of motion, the more micro-steps the smoother the motion.
Its tempting to believe that you are increasing the resolution, but it does not work out that way in practice, its to do with
rapidly degrading differential torque between micro-steps. In reality at 1/2 stepping, that is 400 pulses per rev, is the best practical resolution
you can achieve with a two phase stepper.
Increasing the micro-stepping requires an ever increasing pulse rate from your controller, so there is a balance to be struck.
The best balance appears to be about 8 micro-steps per full step, ie 1600 pulses per revolution. Some drivers have a choice of 5 micro-steps, 8 micro-steps,
10 micro-steps or 16 micro-steps. Any of these choices would be fine. Note that would result in 1000 pulse/rev, 1600 pulse/rev, 2000 pulse/rev and 3200 pulse/rev
respectively. One of those numbers may result in a pleasing round number in Machs 'Steps per Unit' setting, and certainly not essential, it is convenient to have
such a number. My machine, in mm units, has a Steps per Unit setting of 1000, that is 1um per step....easy.
Once you set the micro-stepping regime you want in place then leave it alone. It introduces way to much confusion to change the micro-stepping often.
Craig