@eevnoob: I'd echo dreamcat4 - go for AiXun T3A in T245 version, AND get the genuine JBC tips - they do make a lot of difference, heat transfer is **much** higher, anyone can see it on the base station screen (the left side power delivery bar) when touching high thermal mass joint or wet cleaning sponge. I also see it via LED behaviour on the mod I've done (posted on p.25) - both the on-screen bar and the LED show the same - much more power is delivered to the heater more continuously when the tip is genuine.
The cheap AliExpress-sourced C245 tips do work, but they kind off negate the benefit of the whole T245 system - even if the tip is in a good contact with a high thermal mass joint - power is delivered in much shorter and further apart bursts, indicating that there is a higher thermal resistance between the heater and the actual tip. Most likely (if you would do an X-ray - you'd likely see it) - there is an air gap between the heater coil and the outer shell of the tip. So, going for genuine tips is a very valid suggestion.
As for ESD mods - I want to keep T3A for long time, hence I went all the way, protecting the back "idle" connector (see p.22) and the front connector (p.25), both are NOT necessary to just use T3A. But they do give me peace of mind, together with re-capping of the base PSU (also p.22). These ESD mods are not required to protect **what** you are soldering. Only to protect (long-term) the station itself.
And I'd also recommend to get a second iron - nothing ruins your day devoted to a project like your only iron failing! :-) . It could be either something like Pinecil (I don't have it - cannot comment on how good it is) or you could look for something like "CXG" branded "station in a handle" irons, basically an AC-powered, much older style (Hakko's 900M-style tips), but it's a full solution which is very portable - just the iron itself with an AC cord attached, thermo stabilized, with a little LCD or LED display and a few buttons to control it. And 900M tips are dirt cheap, and can be had in pure unplated copper if that's your thing (good heat transfer, but they are expendables) . Or similar design "WiT" irons. I have several of these and still use them quite a lot when I need to solder something off my bench. Be aware - you need 120VAC version for use in US/Canada/other 120VAC countries, by default those "station in a handle" irons are made for Chinese market, 220VAC only - get the vendor to confirm which version they are selling.