Key point here.
Some of us are shade tree at best, hobbyists as a norm.
The $80 timing light I have, to me, is very useful as I can set (and know) the advance while watching the RPMs.
I’m a professional photographer and will tell you that the best camera is a stripped down 35mm Nikon with no light meter, no auto anything, a 50mm lens and sack of black and white film. However, a weekend warrior who doesn’t innately know the circle of confusion would really benefit from a camera with bells and whistles. It really helps to teach the principles.