If you're talking about protecting it in the field then I think in the end you're going to have to grit your teeth and take your chances; carrying a bulky plexiglass cover just isn't realistic and one must seriously take the heat factor into consideration. Unless you've spent $2000 on a brand new unit then I totally believe it will be worth it to make these high resolution recordings even if it means I lose a unit or two to an accident (I only spent $300-400 on my laptops). One day I will be old and broken, I'll have a kick-ass high end playback and I'll be able to enjoy some ahead-of-their-time high resolution recordings.
If you're talking about protecting it during transportation, then simpy's right, a pelican will do the job. How do I know? Cause simpy sold me his complete with appropriate stickers.