Alternate screw down clamp for VPI Aries

I’d go with VPI’s record weight. It’s unthreaded but weighted. You can leave the platter spinning when changing records. I had a screw on clamp with my HW19mkIII, the weighted clamp came with the Classic. Simpler, just as effective IMO.

https://www.musicdirect.com/vibration-control/vpi-hrx-stainless-steel-center-weight

I prefer the screw down clamps as they allow you to apply the amount of pressure needed for different albums and prefer the Black Diamond Racing, BDR, clamps either 2 piece or one piece. The BDR clamps are not in production anymore but do come up on the used market. Enjoy the music

The record weight alone does not do the job of the clamp.  It is not a substitute.  

There are alternate clamps out there if that's what you want to do.  Do a search.

The very best solution for SQ is a ring weight + center weight.  There are alternate center weights that should work as well as the VPI one.  There are cheaper ring weights as well.  I use one and it's fine.  The peripheral weight and center weight also resolve any warped record issue.

I play used LP's, they can vary in "flatness".  The clamp is necessary along with the rubber washer to dish them to the platter. 

Seeing a setup playing with the arm bobbing up and down is a travesty!
You might be able to use a reflex clamp. Pricey, since it's machined and not plastic.
https://sotaturntables.com/products/reflex-clamp/

Unless you have perfectly flat LPs, the VPI  weight alone may not flatten completely without the periphery ring since the rubber washer is not used to dish the LP.