I am in a boat very similar to yours and have waited nearly 2 and 1/2 years for something to say "I'm it - buy me now"
and and a price that doesn't hurt too much. Of course prices have dropped by nearly half since I started looking at these toys*
so I have finally decided.
My decision is for the Sony 650 because I want the touch screen, but I am waiting for the US's Black Friday Sales to do it. This should allow for Asus, Kobo, or anybody else to have their offerings out for the holiday season and hopefully prevent me from saying "if only I had known", but gives a definite date for actually making the purchase. It should also allow for the Sony readers and accessories to go on a sale so maybe I can get the reader, a cover, and shipping for $225. Newegg.com is where I will first check on Black Friday and Best Buy after that. While Canada doesn't have Black Friday sales your US friends may be able to help out or perhaps the holiday sales will be enough. Good luck!
* I count my smart phone, mp3 player, nicer computer video card, and similar upgraded items as "toys" so this is not meant to insulting to anyone who considers their reader to be necessary to life as I'm sure I will after having it for a week.