If I wanted a chronograph, it would meet the following:
1) electronics/display would be at the bench and not part of the chrony that can be shot
2) it would be a radar unit and stay at the bench, mounted on the gun, or would run under infrared lights so lighting would not be an issue.
One of the "best" chronographs I have used was back in the late '70s. It used a "printed circuit" on paper. When the bullet hit the first paper and broke the circuit, the timer started and when the second paper was hit, the timer stopped. Distance/time gave velocity. It was slow, but it never was effected by the blast from the gun or the lighting. It was only good for use at the range when I was alone and the paper could add up after a while, but it did what it was supposed to without any fuss at all. When I did hit it, it cut a wire that was easily replaced. Anything down range could be replaced cheaply by visiting a hardware store. Modern is so much easier, but a round in a modern unit is not just a quick trip to Home Depot.