Focus Tube Slop

[cybermystic]

If your focuser now has no slop it is unlikely that an expensive alternative will make any difference. This is almost certainly the optics. You aren't using a reducer/corrector are you? With some of these unless you have the metal back distance almost spot on you run into star shape trouble. If you're not using a reducer/corrector I wouldn't think twice about returning the scope, sad as it is
Greg