The HD HERO2 has a setting that lets you change the default start-up mode.

By default, the HD HERO2 starts up in Video mode.  You can set the camera to start up in Video or Time-lapse mode.

Steps:

  1. Enter into the camera's settings menu by pressing the power/mode button to cycle through to the wrench picture.  The wrench represents the settings menu. 
  2. Press the shutter button to enter into the settings menu. 
  3. Press the power/mode button until you see MODE on the LCD screen.  This is where you can change the default start-up mode. 
  4. Enter into the MODE menu by pressing the shutter button. 
  5. Press the power/mode button to change your default start-up mode between Video, Photo, Burst, or Time Lapse. 
  6. Press the shutter button to save the default start-up mode that you select.
 
Please Note:  When powering on the camera, you only need to do a quick press of the power button.  If you press and hold the power button for too long, it is essentially like pressing the power button a second time and will cause the camera to then switch to the next sequential shooting mode upon powering up, rather than the default mode.