If noise and weight are issues with you then you're pretty much limited to chain ons and climbing sticks or gaffs . The only alternative would be a super light climber with belt type attachments instead of cables or climbing bars . Your climber sounds like an older style climbing bar type , I have one too and hate it . I bought an Ameristep Prarie Falcon cable climber on clearance for $45 + shipping from Sportsman's Guide , it's much lighter at 17# and it's normally no more than $120 at Wal-Mart .